In its long and rich history as a cricket ground Trent Bridge has witnessed some intense duels of cricket which have enthralled, dismayed and enthused the local populous. Now an advertisement for modern cricketing architecture, the ground has not lost these memories of classic matches and players gone by. It is indeed a true bastion of the cricketing world.
Nottinghamshire has also produced and featured some true cricketing greats over the years, both in the modern era and in the recesses of time. Now on the first day of the second test match against India, here is a quick look back to 5 of the best cricketers ever to be regulars at Nottinghamshire’s Trent Bridge.
5. Greame Swann. After a consistently strong domestic career, the off spinner pounced on to the international scene (albeit second time round) with lashings of success and glory. Marked for his constant ability to take wickets and make things happen in the first over of the spell he is now at the heart of the current English team, in all formats of the game, and a star when playing for Nottinghamshire. He was one of, if not the, pivotal players who helped England to Ashes glory in 2009 and then 2011/12, and his performances both with the ball, and the bat, means he deserves as a place in Nottinghamshire’s all time top 5, and should be regarded as one of England’s modern greats.
4. Stephen Fleming: Stephen Fleming played for several years at Nottinghamshire’s Trent Bridge and enjoyed a very good time of it in England. The New Zealand left handed batsmen was renowned for his flamboyance and ability to bully bowlers, in particular his elegant stroke play through the covers was perhaps his trademark. As well as his batting, Fleming was also noted for his brilliance as a captain and tactician. He was arguably New Zealand’s greatest captain and thanks to his leadership skills he lead the Nottinghamshire team to their first County Championship victory for 18 years in 2005.
3. Sir Richard Hadlee: Another native New Zealander, this fast bowler enjoyed a long and illustrious career at Trent Bridge, and for his home nation. He played for the county between 1978 and 1987 in which time he was a devastating bowler for Nottinghamshire. Playing in the days when overseas player were long term figures in a team he once achieved figures of 8-22 against Surrey in 1984. In the same year, he also managed the outstanding milestone of scoring 1000 runs and taking 100 wickets for Nottinghamshire.
2. Harold Larwood: Larwood has to be regarded as one of, if not the, best English fast bowlers of all time. Famed for his crucial role to help England to victory in the Bodyline series by terrifying and bullying the Australian team, which included Sir Donald Bradman, into victory, Larwood was a true English great. He also had an exceptional career with Nottinghamshire; he recorded an amazing 98 5 wicket hauls in his first class career and many see him as the fastest bowler of his, or indeed any, era.
1. Sir Garfield Sobers: Arguably the best all rounder to ever play the game, Sobers could do anything within the cricket field, and do it very well. Aside from his tremendous achievements for the West Indies, he scored over 8,000 runs and took 235 wickets, he also enjoyed a magnificent career at Trent Bridge. Perhaps the peak came with his infamous six sixes in an over against Glamorgan (the first time this remarkable cricketing feat had ever bee achieved). Sobers had an amazing impact with Nottinghamshire and delighted local fans with his enigmatic, versatile and aggressive style of cricket in the years he played at Trent Bridge.
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