Wagh recovery on track

Mark Wagh, who has recovered well from shoulder surgery, scored 813 runs in the LV= County Championship last season

Nottinghamshire batsman Mark Wagh expects to begin the new season with a clean bill of health after reporting for pre-season nets pain-free following winter surgery to correct a shoulder problem.

The right-handed opener scored 813 runs in the LV= County Championship last season and is looking forward to a return to action.

“There is always an element of risk with a surgical procedure but my recovery has been pretty straightforward and I haven’t had any major setbacks in my rehabilitation,” said Wagh, who is contracted to Nottinghamshire until the end of the 2012 season.

“I’ve spent a lot of time in the gym building muscle around the shoulder and improving my aerobic fitness but the acid test came with the net sessions and I’ve been finding the middle of the bat and striking the ball nicely.”

The departure of Will Jefferson, who has signed for Leicestershire, and subsequent arrival of Neil Edwards from Somerset will give a new look to Nottinghamshire’s top order in 2010.

Wagh is confident that the club can mount a credible challenge for honours in all competitions.

“We’ve made more personnel changes than most this winter but all of the signings were made with a clear strategy in mind and should improve all areas of the team,” he said.

“A lot of runs came from the middle order last season and if that can be maintained with improvements elsewhere then our chances of success will improve.

“We’ve seen the sort of impact that David Hussey’s presence can make and I’m genuinely excited about our prospects.”