Nottinghamshire ‘won’t be taking anyone for granted’ when they face Gloucestershire at Bristol in the LV County Championship, according to Paul Franks.

LV County Championship Division Two
April 25-28, Bristol: Gloucestershire v Notts
Start time: 11am

Gloucestershire began their first-class season with a convincing win against Leeds/Bradford UCCE last week, while Notts saw off Leicestershire by nine wickets in what Franks described as ‘a very clinical performance.’

The 28-year-old is confident the team can maintain that form in the next few weeks to get their Championship campaign off to a flying start.

But he added: “Taking on Gloucestershire at Bristol is always a tough task and at this time of year they are a particular threat.

“Jon Lewis is always a danger, while Ashley Noffke and Steve Kirby make up a decent bowling attack.

“We will have to approach this game with the same kind of discipline that got us through against Leicestershire. To produce 500 in our first Championship innings is very promising and helped us to get started with maximum points.

“It’s always our goal to reach 400 in our first innings and put the pressure on the opposition. If we can keep on doing that we will stay at the right end of the table, but we won’t be getting ahead of ourselves and certainly won’t be taking anybody for granted.”

Franks looked in menacing form with the ball against Leicestershire and claimed three important wickets in their first innings, as well as hitting an aggressive 32 from number eight.

And the all-rounder is aiming to continue in the same vein after struggling to find consistency in the past two years.

He added: “I’m very happy with my own form and I think I’ve carried that over from pre-season. What’s most important for me is that I feel as though I’m making a good contribution to the team’s success.”

Injury news:
Will Jefferson will have another fitness test to see if he has finally recovered from the hamstring injury first suffered on the pre-season tour of Portugal.
AJ Harris was fit to play against Yorkshire in the Friends Provident Trophy on Sunday and is pushing for a place at Bristol.

Notts: Gallian, Jefferson, Shafayat, Wagh, Hussey (capt), Patel, Read (wkt), Ealham, Franks, Swann, Sidebottom, Harris, Shreck.

Gloucestershire one to watch:
Marcus North - the Australian is making his Gloucestershire debut after being signed as a short-term replacement for New Zealander Hamish Marshall, who was called up to join Stephen Fleming in the Black Caps World Cup campaign.
The 27-year-old has plenty of experience of county cricket after spells with Lancashire, Durham and Derbyshire. A key member of the Western Australia side, David Hussey saw his skills at close quarters when North hit an unbeaten 239 against Victoria in the Pura Cup. A left-handed batsman and occasional off-spinner, he has also played for Australia A.

Gloucestershire: Spearman, Ali, Hodnett, North, Gidman, Taylor, Adshead (wkt), Hardinges, Noffke, Lewis (capt), Kirby, Fisher.