Dane Paterson will return to Nottinghamshire as an overseas player for the 2022 season following a successful first season with the county.
The South Africa international enjoyed a fruitful 2021 campaign, collecting 54 wickets at 17.98 apiece as the Green and Golds achieved a third place finish in the LV= Insurance County Championship.
The right-armer formed a formidable partnership with Luke Fletcher as the pair claimed a combined haul of 120 wickets in the red ball game.
Paterson’s white-ball exploits saw him claim 16 additional dismissals across the two competitions. He also came to the fore with the bat, sealing a dramatic 50-over win against Northamptonshire Steelbacks with a lusty blow for six with two balls and one wicket remaining.
Peter Moores praised the contribution of the 32-year-old’s character, as well as his performances on the field.
“We couldn’t get Dane over from South Africa in what should have been his first year with us in 2020 due to Covid, so it was great to finally get him through the gates of Trent Bridge prior to the start of last season," recalled the Head Coach.
“He settled in and looked completely at home with us very quickly and, after easing him back into bowling at full tilt following a long lay off due to injury and the pandemic, he quickly became an excellent addition to our seam attack.
“Dane is a player who relishes the battle, which is important, but I also love the way he threw himself into forming relationships with his teammates and colleagues, and they all took to him very quickly.
“It's a credit to him that he bought into the club's culture and understood what it meant to play for Notts.
“And, with how popular he is within the group, you feel like his motivation comes from wanting to do the hard yards for the people around him because he feels part of something special.
“He sacrificed a lot in being with us in 2021, actually, leaving his partner and young son behind because they weren’t able to travel.
“He’ll get some quality time with them during the course of the winter, knowing that we all can’t wait to get him back over here come the Spring.”
Paterson revealed that a combination of feeling welcome at the club and his ambitions within the game were at the heart of his decision to return.
“It is an honour to represent Nottinghamshire, and to have the opportunity to return for 2022 is really exciting,” he added.
“I was keen to make my mark after Mick (Newell) and Pete (Moores) showed their faith in me, and I was happy with the way I was able to contribute to the success of the team in my first year.
“I have always enjoyed my red-ball cricket in particular, and the challenge of putting your body through the rigours of a county season was something I relished and will be ready for again.
“Most of all, I’m grateful for the chance to spend another season in and around a great bunch of people at Trent Bridge.
“The way they accepted me at the club is something I won’t forget, and I can’t wait to get back together with them again to have a red hot crack at some silverware in 2022.”
Paterson will ply his trade with Eastern Province in South Africa’s domestic competitions this winter, before returning to the East Midlands ahead of the new season.
His 115 match First Class career to date has brought 408 wickets at an average of 23.39.