Batsman Billy Root is determined to make 2018 the year he secures a regular place in the Nottinghamshire top order.

The 25-year-old left-hander enjoyed some memorable moments this summer, scoring his maiden List A and Specsavers County Championship centuries, against Warwickshire and Sussex respectively.

He also hit an important 37 for the Outlaws in the NatWest T20 Blast in a low-scoring victory at the Worcestershire Rapids.

“I’d like to cement my place in the side in 2018 and there is an opportunity there for me to do that.”

Root, who averages an impressive 45.54 in his fledgling first-class career, is out to claim a regular first-team spot following the retirements of experienced duo Michael Lumb and Chris Read and the exit of Brendan Taylor, who has returned home to play in Zimbabwe.

“I’d like to cement my place in the side in 2018 and there is an opportunity there for me to do that if I play well enough,” he said.

“It’s going to be difficult to replace the two lads that have left when you look at the careers of Read and Lumby over such a long time at Trent Bridge, and BT as well, who is a fantastic cricketer.

“So it’s not going to be easy, but I’m hoping with some hard work this winter I’ll be ready for the challenge.

“I think my game is in as good a shape as it has been. There are a couple of things I want to iron out, but I’m getting there and very happy with how I’m playing at the minute.”

Younger brother of England Test Captain Joe, Billy is flying out to Australia before the end of the year to watch his sibling in action as England bid to overturn a 2-0 Ashes deficit.

He is regularly in contact with the Yorkshire player, and is able to seek advice when needed, but recognises he needs to make a mark in his own right.

“It’s not bad advice to get from someone who is playing at my brother's level.”

Root said: “I do talk to my brother and listen to him but I do have to be careful about what I take in from those conversations because you have to remember that we are both very different players.

“But it’s not bad advice to get from someone who is playing at his level. The stuff I can take on board and is very useful is how to handle the pressure because, of course, he’s now a very experienced player.”

With promotion and two one-day trophies to show for their efforts, Notts’ 2017 season could hardly have gone any better.

Root realises a repeat of that success is not going to be easy, in four and one-day cricket.

“We’re under no illusions that next year is going to be really tough and we have to make sure we are exactly where we want to be for when the season comes around,” he said.

“The first three games we will have the choice of having a coin toss or not. Sometimes that can play in your favour but, then again, other teams know how to play on their own grounds.

“But you know on the first morning of all three games that whoever bats or bowls well is ultimately going to win the game.

“We’re under no illusions that next year is going to be really tough (in 2018).”

“In some ways the better players and teams even itself out with the fact that you are generally playing on better pitches. But you do have the challenge of having to face better bowling units.

“In the one-dayers, teams are always going to go after those trophies so we just have to be as consistent as we were last year and then we will give ourselves every chance.”

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