Now installed as Mick Newell’s assistant at Trent Bridge, Noon captained England Under 19s in 1989 and 1990, and joined Notts from Northants in 1994. He befriended Stephen Fleming during his time with Northamptonshire and helped to persuade the New Zealand captain to move to Notts in 2005.

Noon moved from Northants in 1994 and was first choice behind the stumps until the arrival of Chris Read in 1998, taking over the running of the Second XI when Newell stepped up to become Director of Cricket midway through the 2002 season.

Since then Noon has brought several home-grown youngsters like Samit Patel, Will Smith and Mark Footitt through into the first-team while keeping other senior players in form for a call-up when needed.

He played a total of 92 first class matches for Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire between 1988 and 2003.