It's the pennant above all - Read

Get a good start and the rest is inevitable: Chris Read salutes his century against Worcestershire

When Nottinghamshire captain Chris Read drew up his strategy for the season, he placed the LV= County Championship title right at the top of the pile.

The England wicketkeeper firmly believes that first-class cricket is the sternest test of a cricketer, and he is desperate for atone for the title Nottinghamshire lost on the last day of the 2008 season against Hampshire.

And in his second season as skipper at Trent Bridge, Read began in the best possible way by stroking 125 and leading his side to a withering innings victory over Worcestershire.

“For us, it’s the biggest deal,” Read told ecb.co.uk. “But if you go around the counties you’ll get different answers.

“Some sides believe they’re in a greater position to win one-day competitions, which you can understand.

“At Nottinghamshire our stance is that a four-day competition is the greatest test of a cricketer.

“I’m not neglecting one-day cricket, because it’s vitally important and we want to win all four competitions.

“But having won the championship in 2005, it’s an achievement that I’d love to repeat as captain.”

One man who did not disgrace himself in Nottinghamshire’s 203-run final-day loss at Trent Bridge is Samit Patel. The left-hander also struck 95 at number three to set his side up for this year's opening win.

Patel’s performances last season won him a place on the England Lions tour to New Zealand, but he was withdrawn from the England one-day squad for the five-match series in the Caribbean after not reaching the ECB’s required fitness levels.

Read confirms his key all-rounder, named in both the England World Twenty20 and England Performance squads for the coming summer, has shown a strong work ethic since returning to Nottingham.

“Samit’s been working hard since he’s been back with us,” adds Read. “From my point of view, if he’s good enough, and puts the work in that the ECB demand, then he should definitely be in the England squad. If he’s in your best XI, you pick him.

Samit Patel begins his quest to earn back his England spot with a quick 95 from number three last week

“We’re doing everything we can to get Samit as fit as possible, but also to be in tip-top nick with bat and ball.

“I never questioned his commitment. I don’t know what went on on the Lions tour, or what targets he didn’t hit.

“That’s none of my business. That’s for Samit and the ECB to sort out. The ECB need him to be fit, as they’re setting standards for everyone to adhere to.”

Nottinghamshire already boast a formidable attack, with Ryan Sidebottom, Stuart Broad, Darren Pattinson, Charlie Shreck and Mark Ealham in their ranks for starters.

And they strengthened their squad with two veterans of the Brown variety. Ali Brown, 39, the former England one-day batsman, comes from Surrey, while 34-year-old former Northamptonshire off-spinner Jason Brown will offer slow-bowling support to Patel and Graeme Swann.

With Patel and Broad not taking part in the Indian Premier League as initially expected, Read has a strong squad at his disposal for the start of the championship and Friends Provident Trophy campaigns.

“The IPL has had no absolutely effect on us,” confirms Read. “Where we’re always try and stay one step ahead is working out which England games our guys will be playing in.

“Their time with us will hopefully allow Graeme Swann and Ryan Sidebottom to get rid of their injuries.”

Read had the daunting task of succeeding Stephen Fleming as captain at the end of 2007, a reign included winning the championship in 2005.

“I was lucky enough to play under Stephen Fleming, and he was an awesome captain,” says Read. “I learnt a lot from him.

“Whenever Notts played Hampshire it really was a battle of the minds. Shane Warne had lots of quirky and positive ideas. With Stephen so astute, those games were inevitably anything but dull.”

Former captain Stephen Fleming toasts Nottinghamshire's Frizzell County Championship title in 2005