COVERED WINTER 2020

COVERED 14 TRENTBRIDGE.CO.UK “YOU’RE DESPERATE TO PUT IN A PERFORMANCE IN EVERY SINGLE GAME – FOR THE FANS, FOR THE CLUB AND FOR YOURSELF – SO WHEN IT DOESN’T QUITE HAPPEN IT IS DIFFICULT TO TAKE.” Jake Ball “I speak to Fletch quite a bit about it, about how much it means to us to play for Notts, because we know the people that are coming to watch, and we know exactly how much it means to them.” Ball’s home Nottinghamshire debut came in a late-summer 40-over encounter with Leicestershire in 2010. There is a chance, however, that a few members had seen him grace the hallowed turf some years before – without even realising. “My first memories ofTrent Bridge would probably be in… I think it was called theWrigley’s Kwik Cricket Cup at the time,” he recalls. “I was playing for my school, for Cuckney School, and we got to the final atTrent Bridge and won it. “Me and my brother were both in the side, and our prize was a year’s supply of Wrigley’s chewing gum each. I remember we had a cupboard at my mum and dad’s house which was full ofWrigley’s for the next four or five years – you just couldn’t get through it all! “It was Ready (Chris Read) who gave me my medal at the end of the game, so there’s a photo of me as a wee nipper stood with him, in a bit of a mood about something or other. I think the photo is still up at my mum and dad’s house – it’s become a permanent fixture!” Jake and brother Jonathan learned their trade on the cricket fields ofWelbeck Colliery – a picturesque outpost now firmly established as Nottinghamshire’s northern outground venue. But those links withTrent Bridge extend far further than that maiden List A game at Sookholme in 2015. “I remember Shrecky (Charlie Shreck) being the pro atWelbeck when he moved to Notts, and when I went down to watch my brother in the first team, I’d always take an interest in him,” says Ball. “Then when I went to see Notts play, there was the likes of Sid (Ryan Sidebottom) as well – I always thought he was really good to watch. “Those experiences cemented what Notts means to me. I’ve always been a fan, I’ve been through those highs and lows, and I understand what it means. I’ve been in and aroundTrent Bridge pretty much constantly ever since that Wrigley’s tournament. “I don’t think that automatically makes me a fan favourite, but I’d like to think they understand how much I want to do well for Notts. “That’s what makes it so hard when you’re not quite performing to the level you want to.You’re desperate to put in a performance in every single game – for the fans, for the club and for yourself – so when it doesn’t quite happen it is difficult to take.” That feeling of disappointment was not one Ball had to worry about on the evening of 4 October. As day two ofVitality Blast Finals Day saw the blotters, covers and super-soppers A young Ball (far right) with Chris Read (centre)