Notts ready for next hurdle - Voges

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Adam Voges is looking for Nottinghamshire to build on their winning start to the LV= County Championship season when they face Yorkshire at Headingley Carnegie this week.

Notts have begun the 2011 campaign with intent as they look to repeat last year’s Division One title success.

Australian batsman Voges has reason to be optimistic and believes Notts have the talent available to continue their good form into their next, possibly more challenging task, starting tomorrow.

After Andre Adams’ career-best 11-85 during Notts’ comfortable win over Hampshire in their first match of the season, Voges spoke highly not just of Adams but of the whole team’s performance - including Samit Patel’s first-innings century.

“To wrap the game up in three days by nine wickets was almost a perfect start obviously,” he told ecb.co.uk. “I thought the way Samit played in the first innings was pretty crucial, and all the seamers did a very good job.”

Of Adams’ performance and the threat he poses to the opposition, Voges had nothing but praise.

“He bowled beautifully and just asked question’s all the time,” Voges added. “At Trent Bridge early season when its swinging, he’s going to be a handful.”

Voges praised Andre Adams, centre, who took a career-best 11-85 in Notts' nine-wicket win over Hampshire at Trent Bridge

The trip to Headingley look’s set to be an exciting one with ex-Notts man Ryan Sidebottom playing his first game against his old club. Sidebottom rejoined Yorkshire on a three-year contract after helping Notts to the title and Voges is keen to not underestimate his former team-mate.

“He’ll be spot on, trying to hit your pads, trying to hit your stumps and then take that one across you,” Voges said. “He’s started the season very well for them too so I’m sure he’ll be looking forward to the challenge. We’re certainly looking forward to playing against him”.

Notts are looking to repeat last year’s brilliant start to the season where they managed four victories out of four, and a win against Yorkshire would help continue their perfect start.

A similar Notts side is expected to line up this week and, after Somerset’s unexpected defeat to Warwickshire, the title race already seems wide open. However, Voges hopes Notts can be the leading contender for the title and a win against Yorkshire would certainly help them on their way.

“A massive factor in us winning the championship last year was having such a strong start and just sort of getting a bit of a head start on everyone else in the competition,” he added.

“Obviously it’s first game so there’s a long way to go but like I said it’s always nice to get off to a winning start and hopefully we can take that confidence and momentum up to Headingley.”

Watch free daily video highlights from every LV= County Championship match here on ecb.co.uk this summer