COVERED WINTER 2019

3 WELCOME @TRENTBRIDGE WELCOME As I write this introduction and reflect upon the events of this summer, I cannot recall another season in my 19 years here that’s felt more ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ on the field. Although we commenced the campaign fully aware that we were a team in transi- tion, our strategy to rebuild by developing and recruiting English qualified young players had successfully continued.We looked forward to the new season with great optimism. It is therefore hard to comprehend the extremes in performance and results between our white-ball and red-ball cricket in 2019. We remained a very strong side in the limited-overs formats, progressing to Vitality Blast Finals Day for the third time in four years and qualifying for the knock-out stages of the 50 over competi- tion for the third year in succession. In stark contrast, our performances in red-ball cricket were very poor and losing our First Division status, although deserved, is a bitter pill to swallow. Nothing can be taken for granted in professional cricket and the need to improve in this format is our number one priority for 2020.That improvement must come from within and our players are absolutely determined to learn and emerge stronger from the experiences of this summer. We are under no illusions regarding the task ahead, but we are determined to do all we can to return to the pinnacle of the county game.We will continue to invest in our playing squad and do everything possible to secure and nurture the young talent that is emerging from our Academy. Off the field, our Membership stood strong – in excess of 7,700 – a great achievement in a year without aTest Match. Meanwhile, surpassing 12,000 as our average group stage attendance for T20 cricket exceeded our expectations. As we look forward to the return of Test cricket next August, this year’s ICC CricketWorld Cup was a fantastic spectacle for all cricket lovers that showcasedTrent Bridge and Notting- hamshire.The positive feedback we have received from spectators is testament to the commitment and dedication of our off- field staff and volunteers. In this edition of Covered, Dan Christian reminisces on his five years at Trent Bridge – four as the Club’sT20 Captain. Joe Clarke reviews the most testing year of his promising career with admirable honesty and looks forward with optimism to 2020. There’s also a chance to find out more about our homegrown all-rounder Liam Patterson-White, who emerged so impressively during the second half of the championship season. Our community update explains our valuable work in installing defibrillators within cricket clubs across Nottingham- shire – and we feature the work of the Trent Bridge CommunityTrust as it celebrates its ten-year anniversary. Finally, I would like to offer a big thank you for your support in what has been a challenging 2019. I am also very grateful that so many of you have already renewed for 2020. I trust you will winter well. Lisa Pursehouse, MBE Chief Executive