Jefferson relishes challenge

Opening batsman Will Jefferson had a very successful stint on tour with the England A team

Nottinghamshire's new signing Will Jefferson feels he has made giant strides after a winter on tour with England A and now is looking to make up for lost time following his move from Essex.

The 6ft 10in opener has moved north after signing a three-year contract last August with the 2005 county champions, who were relegated by just half a point.

Last season was a frustrating one for the 27-year-old as, two months before the start of the campaign, a freak injury saw him damage tendons in his left wrist when he pushed his hand through a bathroom window as he tried to open it.

That sidelined him for more than three months and he was restricted to just six first-team appearances - only one in the county championship - which contributed to his decision to seek a new challenge.

The year ended on a high note when he was called up for England A's tour to Bangladesh and, after some ordinary performances in the four-day matches, he burst into life in the one-dayers, averaging 51 in three games.

Jefferson believes he has benefited immensely from his time within the England set-up and is now looking to transfer his tour form to his new county.

Peter Moores had a positive effect on Will Jefferson's cricket career © Getty Images

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“I have had a very enjoyable, challenging and successful winter with England A and now I'm feeling part of the framework here at Trent Bridge without even having played a game yet,” he said.

“Without a shadow of a doubt the time and effort I spent at Loughborough with Peter Moores (National Cricket Centre director), the rest of the A team squad and the month I had out in Bangladesh makes me feel more confident as a cricketer and a person.

“I enter this season as a more developed cricketer than I was at the end of last season and that is a really good place to be in, on and off the pitch.”

Jefferson is determined to use last year's injury as a motivating factor as he sets out on a new chapter of his career.

“Last season was horrible. It set back my whole season as I was out for three months. I couldn't pick a bat up and it was very frustrating but the whole time I stayed very strong,” he added.

“The surgeon said I should make a full recovery and, touch wood, everything has been great so far.

“They were obviously worrying times but I came back into the Essex set-up and I took the opportunities I had, which were few and far between.

“But the big turning point was getting a letter from Peter Moores at the beginning of the winter completely out of the blue asking me to do a bit of work at the Loughborough Academy set-up.

“I just threw myself head first into it and obviously made enough of an impression on him and the other coaches to be given a few more opportunities so it has all been moving forward since the accident.”

Will Jefferson will be looking to make an impression against his former Essex team-mates

Jefferson will come up against his former Essex team-mates in Division Two of the newly-rebranded LV County Championship this season but he insists all he is concentrating on is helping his new employers regain top-flight status.

To do that he has to score heavily at the top of the order as he was signed as a direct replacement for the retired veteran Darren Bicknell.

He is not looking any further than county cricket and more England A games and admits he has a lot of work to do if he is to seriously stake a claim for the senior international side.

“Coming back here to Notts I have seen a very similar feeling within the camp to that within the England A camp. It is a very organised, professional outfit here like it is with England A,” he said.

“Everyone is here to do a quality job and give us every chance of being successful.

“It is just a case of making the most of the opportunities here at Notts and I have to put my hand up and score a lot of runs during this season.

“Getting off to a good start is my priority and then trying to maintain consistency throughout the season.

“I know there is a hell of a lot more to do. The competition for places in English cricket is as good as it has ever been in terms of the amount of quality names which are not involved in the England team at the moment and that shows strength in depth.

“There are a lot of guys working very hard behind the scenes on their games and the queue is very long in getting to the forefront of the England team.

“There is only one spot for each player in each position so you are in a group, as an opening batsman, with 10 to 15 other guys who will feel they are close to that step up to the national team.”