Notts Premier League Preview: Hucknall CC seek 2017 repeat at home to Caythorpe CC

At Birchover Park two sides will be hoping to take to the field for the first time in the NPL this season: Cavaliers & Carrington entertain Papplewick & Linby.

For the Cavaliers this is the first of two fixtures this weekend as they travel to Mansfield Hosiery Mills on Bank Holiday Monday to play their re-arranged opening day fixture.

That gives Hassan Azad two goes at scoring the 75 runs he needs for 4,500 in the NPL, and if he scores 54 or more on Monday that will mean 500 runs against the Millers. Adam Tillcock can also bring up several milestones with bat and ball; he needs 87 runs for 2,500 league runs, six wickets will mean 200 NPL scalps and if two of those are at Birchover Park that will mean 50 wickets at home.

Papplewick make their first visit to Birchover Park since May 2013; although they will be hoping for a better outcome than the seven wicket defeat they suffered then.

Alex Lloyd, who played in that match, needs 66 runs for 2,500 in the NPL and Tom Bowers 19 for 500 NPL runs.

At Station Lane Farnsfield welcome Plumtree.

The home side will want to banish the memory of their opening day batting collapse that cost them dearly; they have strengthened in that department though with the arrival of opening bat George Hadfield from Mansfield Hosiery Mills.

Callum McKenzie requires 11 runs and Curtis Mitchell needs 43 for 1,500 and 1,000 league runs respectively. With the ball Liam Patterson-White needs just one strike for 50 wickets in the NPL.

At the New Gatehouse Ground Hucknall host Caythorpe.

This fixture proved to be a thriller last season with Hucknall coming out on top thanks to a record breaking 8th wicket stand; they will be hoping for the same result this time out, if not by the same methods.

Matt New can make it 500 runs against Caythorpe with a score of 22 or more and 28 from Suhail Ahmed will mean 500 NPL runs.

Caythorpe will no doubt be happy to actually play some cricket, but exorcising their defeat from last year may also be on the player’s minds given the squad is largely unchanged.

Oliver Clarke needs just five runs for 500 in the NPL.

Not far away at Newdigate Street Kimberley Institute welcome Cuckney.

For Kimberley this match is real test of their title credentials and they will be hoping Cuckney’s lack of game time thus far works in their favour here.

Jon Terry still needs 17 for 5,000 league runs.

Cuckney on the other hand will be looking to deliver a blow to one of their potential title challengers early doors with a statement of intent.

James Hawley needs just 6 runs for 500 against Kimberley and a half-century from skipper Nick Langford would also mean 500 runs against his former club. Will Butler needs just one wicket for 150 in the NPL.

At The Fieldings Mansfield Hosiery Mills take on Radcliffe-on-Trent.

As mentioned the Millers also play Cavaliers & Carrington this weekend so they have the opportunity to have a very good few days if they can pick up two positive results. New signing Savin Perera could feature for the home side.

Radcliffe will also be hoping for a positive result as they too finally take to the field in the league.

Connor Marshall needs just 7 runs for 1,000 in the NPL and the mercurial Caleb Mierkalns could reach 2,000 league runs with a score of 60 or more.

The final game of the day sees Wollaton play host to Attenborough; the first time these two sides have met in the NPL since 2010.

Last Saturday was supposed to see Wollaton’s first home fixture in the NPL since 2012, but the rain put pay to that. However 26pts from two games represents a good haul and a positive result here means they will be very content with their start.

Attenborough are another side itching to get on the field for the first time this season and they too will be looking for a positive result in this game.

Chris Allcoat, one of their top run scorers last season, needs 30 for 1,000 NPL runs and Ben Bhabra requires 2 wickets for 50 league strikes.