There is a visible light at the end of the cricket season’s lengthy tunnel, and Peter Moores is all too aware of the positive effect that can have.
Nottinghamshire have just three games left of the season - a trio of LV= Insurance County Championship clashes - and currently sit 30 points ahead of second-placed Middlesex, and 35 in front of third-placed Glamorgan.
The first fixture of the Green and Golds' final charge sees Leicestershire visit Trent Bridge, with a squad including three members of the Trent Rockets party to have lifted silverware at Lord’s on Saturday.
“You get a boost when you see the end,” Moores admitted.
“The hardest bit is always the middle of the season. At the start you have the enthusiasm, but in the middle you see someone’s ability to keep their standards up, to be a good self-motivator, and a good professional.
“Now we are into the last month of the season, we have the carrot that lies at the end of it - winning the division.
“That’ll be a real energy-giver to everyone in the squad, and around the club. There has been such a lot of work to get to this point, including in the winter, that we want to make sure we finish strong.”
For Moores, that eight of the twelve remaining days of cricket are at Trent Bridge provides an added lift.
Nottinghamshire have won three and drawn one of their five four-day fixtures at home this season.
It is the confidence that familiarity provides, and the well wishes of those watching on, that gives Moores particular cause for encouragement.
“The first thing is that we know our ground, and you have some control over the pitch.” he answered, on the tangible benefits of playing at home.
“Steve Birks [Head Groundsman] needs a pat on the back for the way he has handled the whole season. The pitches we have played Championship cricket on have been fantastic and he has to handle a huge amount of cricket. A lot of credit has to be given to him.
“And importantly, this is home. We walk down these steps, and it’s where our members and supporters are.
“They have been brilliant for us. They went through a bit of a rough time with us when this side came together in 2019, and now they are starting to reap the rewards for their loyalty, and we are playing better cricket. You always want to entertain them by playing well at home.”
The game against Leicestershire is Notts’ first four-day game since an innings victory over Sussex at the end of July.
Moores believes the key to finishing the season well will be the players’ ability to reconnect with the skills required of, and mindset adopted within, the red-ball campaign.
He maintains, though, that the experiences of the squad in various white-ball competitions through August can be of benefit in First-Class cricket.
“For a month, we have all lived a different story.” Moores said.
“All will have learned something through it - sometimes you learn through having a great time and a great tournament, sometimes you learn because things are quite tough. We’ve got a chance now to put that behind us, and return to our common goal.
“This season, we have batted positively and aggressively, we have fielded very well, and we have bowled with intensity. We want to continue that. It is a great opportunity for those 11 who step out on Monday to set the tone for the rest of the season.”
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The Royal London Cup Final
The timeless pomp, ceremony and tradition of county cricket's historic 50-over final is soon to take place at Trent Bridge.
Lancashire and Kent will go head-to-head in the showpiece finale of the Royal London Cup at our historic home on Saturday 17 September.