Rob Ferley joined the staff at Trent Bridge in 2007 as a slow left-arm bowler and useful right-handed batsman; he had spent seven seasons with Kent, making 18 First-Class appearances in that time.
Ferley had made his First-Class debut for Durham University CCE against a Durham side that included Paul Collingwood and Steve Harmsion - perhaps unsurprisingly, the UCCE lost by a huge margin (Ferley's contribution was one wicket for 116 runs). He made nine appearances in First-Class matches at University level, making a career best 78no against Durham in a game where the UCCE fared rather better, securing a high-scoring draw. Future Notts team-mate Will Smith was in the UCCE team and one Gary Pratt - soon to gain much fame (or notoriety if you're an Aussie) in the 2005 Ashes test at Trent Bridge - was in the Durham side.
Ferley's first team appearances for Notts were very limited - just four games - but he recorded a remarkable average of 111 by dint of having three 'not-outs' in his four innings; his top score for Notts was 43no against Essex. His bowling average was rather less impressive - three wickets at 139.66. He also played in 12 List-A matches. In 2008 he made his final Championship appearance but was economical in the T20 competition, where he played in seven of the Outlaws' nine matches.
He played club cricket for Retford in 2007 and Plumtree a year later before leaving the county to return to his first side, Kent.
July 2020
Nottinghamshire First-Class Number: 591