Newell's call to relegated players: Finish as strongly as we can

Nottinghamshire's cricketers head to the south west for their final match in the Specsavers County Championship. Their fate already sealed, with the confirmation that they will be playing in Division Two next season, they now find themselves unwittingly caught up in events at the other end of the table.

Opponents Somerset have never won the county championship, yet are in a position to lift their first title after gate-crashing their way into contention with a strong late run.

The Taunton-based club will need to beat Notts and hope for a favourable outcome in the match between the other contenders, Middlesex and Yorkshire.

Mick Newell, Nottinghamshire’s director of cricket, said he isn’t really surprised that the season has come down to such a thrilling finale once again.

“There are rarely any dead games in Division One,” he said. “There is usually something riding on the outcome of every match at both ends of the table and that will be the case again.

“Somerset have done really well to get themselves into a position where they can win it, so there will be plenty on this for them but for us also. We will be looking to turn in as good a performance as we can.”

Taunton hasn’t always been the kindest of venues for Nottinghamshire to visit, with success there being long overdue. Last season they came within a whisker of picking up their first win on the ground since 1985.Off-spinner Matt Carter took 10 wickets on his first class debut, including figures of seven for 56 in Somerset’s first innings.