MOORES: CRISIS IS SHOWING THE BEST OF NOTTS' COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Peter Moores feels the conduct of his players during the coronavirus crisis is showing the strength of the bonds within the club.

The Nottinghamshire squad were nearing the conclusion of a pre-season designed in part to tighten the connection between senior players and some of the newer, more youthful arrivals – and the Head Coach believes this is bearing fruit in trying circumstances.

“This is the first time in my 39 years in the game that I’ve not been involved in cricket in April,” he said.

“The fact that the season should now be underway and we haven’t played at all feels very strange.

“But these last few weeks in lockdown have really shown the sense of community within the squad and within the wider club.

“People are checking up on each other – whether that’s coaches calling players, players calling coaches, or people checking up on other departments – and that tightness is what all clubs want to achieve.

“The two days we spent in Rutland [for teambuilding exercises] were a really good indicator of that spirit within the squad.

“We were on the high ropes at RAF Cranwell on the first day, and even though it was freezing cold and we were out there for eight or nine hours, no-one complained.

“We had a really nice time, it felt like everyone was happy to chat to everyone, and nothing felt forced.

“Notts and Trent Bridge have always had this reputation for having a strong family feel, and that’s something I felt as soon as I walked through the gates five years ago. At times like these, that’s absolutely crucial.”

Moores’ preparations may have been upended by the escalation of the outbreak, but he feels the squad have been able to retain a sense of perspective about the situation they find themselves in.

“You’d normally be absolutely gutted to be missing out on some cricket, but when you look at the grand scheme of things, you realise that taking precautions against coronavirus has to be everybody's priority at this time,” he said.

“When you look at the work that’s going on in the NHS, and some of the sacrifices others are having to make, you see that there are bigger things to worry about.

“In fact, across the whole sport, any tribal boundaries are falling away.

“You might not be able to physically go and see somebody, but because you’ve got more spare time, there is an opportunity to reach out to people more.

“That’s certainly happening within our squad, and that can be a real bonus.

“Times like this reconnect you to the fact that the people you love and care for are most important – and that extends to the people you play with.”

“Notts and Trent Bridge have always had this reputation for having a strong family feel, and at times like these, that’s absolutely crucial.”

Peter Moores

The pandemic is shifting the priorities of Moores and his staff as they aim to support their players.

Whilst the side have resolved to keep themselves as physically fit as possible during their time away from Trent Bridge, the Head Coach is finding himself playing more of a pastoral role with his charges.

“Realistically, my job is more of a wellbeing thing now,” he said.

“We speak a lot as a squad and make sure we look after each other as well as we can.

“There are two groups of players facing different challenges: those with kids, who have a much more full-on job in many ways with looking after their little ones; and some of the younger players, who maybe are by themselves and are a little more isolated.

“We’re doing what we can to support and guide them, but a big part of our job at all times is to make sure players are self-sufficient, independent and can motivate themselves.

“They’ll never have a better chance to prove that than now. Time will be limited this season, so we need to be as clear as we can in our preparations and be ready to put on some entertainment for the members and fans as soon as it’s safe.”