The season of 1959 will long be remembered for its fine weather - the best Cricket has experienced for many years. The effect it had on the game was tremendous, following a period of two poor summers, Cricket was badly in need of a tonic. It is to be regretted that Nottinghamshire did not take advantage and finished at the bottom of the Championship table. However they won four Championship games as compared with three in 1958 and beat the tourists (India) and Cambridge University. Generally speaking, the team showed much better form than in 1958 and the Committee feel that the prospects for the future are not without hope.

They wish to extend to the Captain, Mr. R T Simpson, their warmest congratulations on the excellent season he had, his best for many years. He scored over 2,000 runs, including five centuries, three of them in consecutive innings.

Norman Hill also scored over 2,000 runs, including six centuries, two of which he made against Lancashire at Trent Bridge. John Springhall, Cyril Poole, Mervyn Winfield and Geoffrey Millman each exceeded 1,000 runs, and in addition, Springall showed himself to be more than a useful change bowler. Millman again kept wicket well and in the opinion of many was unlucky not to receive Test honours.

The bowling was again not up to standard, although John Cotton continued to show promise and finished with 73 wickets. Michael Morgan, called on to do a lot of work, really earned his 88 wickets. Apart from these two, none of the others impressed, though Tom Atkinson and Ian Davison each tried hard. Davidson must learn to make much better use of the new ball if he is to progress. Your Committee are making every effort to strengthen the bowling and have secured the services of Brian Wells from Gloucestershire.

It was with regret that the Club decided to dispense with the services of Arthur Jepson, Ron Giles, Eddie Rowe, Colin Matthews and Eric Martin, all of whom have given many years of loyal service. The Committee felt, however, that the time had arrived when they must make way for younger players. They will be very much missed at Trent Bridge and your Committee extend to them good wishes for the future.

In addition, Michael Hall decided to accept a business appointment outside cricket, but it is hoped that he will be available to play in 2nd XI games. Engagements have been accepted by W E Rhodes, a useful wicket-keeper batsman from the Salts Club, Bradford and P Oakden, a right-arm medium pace bowler from Sutton-In-Ashfield.

The 2nd XI competed in both the Minor Counties Championship and 2nd XI Championship. The latter enabled the Committee to give trials to various players who were recommended to the Club and of these, C. Forbes and C. Lindo, both West Indian and bowlers of promise, will join the Staff in 1960. Unfortunately under the Rules of County Cricket, neither will be available to play in County Championship matches. The Committee are most grateful to Mr J W Baddiley for taking on the captaincy of the 2nd XI. He did a most excellent job and his advice was most helpful to the Committee in matters affecting the playing staff.

The Club have decided to withdraw from the Minor Counties Championship at the end of 1960. This will enable them to enlarge their programme in the 2nd XI Championship and thus provide more cricket for the players who may be on trial. Next season the Committee hope to include in the 2nd XI more local amateurs and will be glad to receive nominations of such players who may be available to play in occasional games.

The Committee must again emphasise the necessity of maintaining and increasing the Membership of the Club. It is to be regretted that, even with such a fine summer, the total number of Members showed a decline. Unless this is arrested, the Committee may have to increase the Annual subscription rates, a step which they are reluctant to take. Match receipts showed a welcome increase but receipts from the Test Match pool were the lowest for many years.

The Committee are against most grateful for the generous donations which the Supporter’s Association have made to theClub during the year, and record their appreciation of the great work which the Association has done since its inception. Only by their efforts has the Club avoided financial disaster.

The Third Test Match versus South Africa will be played at Trent Bridge on 7th to 12th July, 1960, and tickets for reserved seats are now available.

In view of the success which attended the County match versus Kent at Worksop, your Committee have decided to allocate at least one game each season to that venue; the match against Yorkshire in 1960 will be played there. As this is a mid-week game, it is felt that it will meet with much better support than at Trent Bridge.

During the year the Club suffered a great loss in the passing or Mr. H C Wright, who had been a member of the Committee since 1948; his opinion on many matters relation to cricket was most valuable to his colleagues.

The Committee invited Mr. W L Miron OBE, TD, Deputy Chairman of the East Midlands Division of the National Coal Board and Vice-Chairman of the Committee of the Notts Youth Cricket Council and a member of the Committee of the Supporters’ Association, to fill the vacancy.

Your Committee have granted a Benefit in 1960 to Cyril Poole, who has been a member of the Staff since 1945 and who, on many occasions, has delighted spectators with his exhilarating batting, while his fielding has always been of the highest standard. He was selected to tour Pakistan and India with the MCC in 1951 when he played in three Test Matches. As this is the last Benefit for some time, the Committee are giving consideration to the introduction of the Pension scheme to replace Benefit matches.

It is with much regret that we record the passing of Mr. J Ashley Player, who was President of the Club in 1954 and 1955. He was always a keen and enthusiastic member and since his retirement from business seldom missed a match at Trent Bridge.

During the year, Mr. G N B Huskinson occupied the position of President, and without any doubt brought much credit to the Club and himself by the manner in which he carried out the duties of his high office. He represented the Club at many functions, was present at every game played at Trent Bridge and, by his tremendous enthusiasm for the welfare of the game and the Club, did much to improve the spirit existing between Committee, Staff and Members. It is with much pleasure that we report that he has kindly consented to allow his name to go forward as President for 1960.

On behalf of the Committee
R.J de C. Barber, Chairman