aps more than most, shows the strength of the top flight this season with both teams boasting numerous players who have

Michael Lumb believes Alex Hales will be out to silence his critics when Nottinghamshire take on Yorkshire in the Specsavers County Championship this weekend, live on Sky Sports. Hales, who has impressed at international level in limited-overs cricket, was given his chance in the Test arena for Englands tour of South Africa over the winter and while Alastair Cooks side emerged victorious, the Nottinghamshire batsman struggled.However, Lumb, a team-mate of Hales at Trent Bridge, is confident the 27-year-old has what it takes to succeed at Test level and is backing him to provide a reminder of his ability in the build up to Englands first Test of the summer against Sri Lanka next month. Hes been great, he came to Old Trafford [during Nottinghamshires Championship game with Lancashire] for a couple of days and had a couple of hits so I know hes looking forward to getting going and silencing some of the critics he had over the winter, Lumb told Sky Sports.He is raring to go and wanting to show the critics and other people that hes world class and hell be working hard to keep his place in the Test team and play the first game. Its great to have him back. Hales struggled at the top of the order for England in South Africa Hales wont be the only England player in the Nottinghamshire ranks for the game with Yorkshire. Stuart Broad is also set to play for Mick Newells side and Lumb feels his presence is a significant boost.Its huge, hes the No 1 Test bowler in the world and having him in the side is awesome, he said. He helps out the younger bowlers and hes a leading influence in the field so to have him in these opening games, hopefully he can find some form and help us to win some games as well.One of those younger bowlers sure to benefit from playing alongside the England seamer is Jake Ball. The 25-year-old has enjoyed a fine start to the season and Lumb has high hopes for the England Lions quick.Jakes had a great start, said the 36-year-old. He had a good winter with the Lions, I think he impressed with them, and hes come back and got out of the blocks really well.Hes put on a bit of pace, hes bowling quick and hes a good lad. Theres big things for him in the future, hes started really well and hopefully thatll continue for a while. Jake Ball has started the season well for Nottinghamshire However, while Ball has begun the season in fine style, it has been an indifferent beginning to the 2016 campaign for Notts as a whole - victory over Surrey was followed by defeat at newly-promoted Lancashire. Lumb though, is not overly concerned.Obviously, we got out of the blocks really well, winning the first game, we played some good cricket and then unfortunately we went to Lancashire and got outplayed there, he admitted.It just shows the rollercoaster of Championship cricket, we were on a bit of a high and then you go and get beaten. Theres stuff that we can still work on, which is good.Everyone says the same things early on: We want to win the Championship and this and that but I think this year were more about just doing our little process, getting our basics right and if we look after those things hopefully results will come for us in the end.Division One is very strong, there are some strong sides knocking around and so, for us, its just taking each game as it comes and as long as we stick to our basics and our game plans then hopefully thatll take care of itself. Michael Lumb admits Notts were outplayed by Lancashire in their last outing The forthcoming game with Yorkshire, perhaps more than most, shows the strength of the top flight this season with both teams boasting numerous players who have performed well consistently in recent years and thats before you even get to England regulars such as Broad, Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root, all of whom are expected to play.You look at the two sides on paper and its almost like a Test match so the boys are up for it, said Lumb, who spent the early part of his career at Headingley.All the pressures on Yorkshire and were just trying to knock them off. Its exciting to be part of and thats what you want in these County Championship games, strong games, strong competitions. Were up for it, theyll be favourites, well just go out and enjoy the game and try and get one over on them.You can watch Nottinghamshire take on Yorkshire in County Championship Division One live on Sky Sports 2 HD. Coverage starts at 10.30am on Sunday May 1. Also See: CC Div One table Yorkshire up for challenge County XI of the week Get Surrey tickets! Phillies Jerseys 2020 .C. -- Todd Fiddler scored a hat trick, including the overtime goal, as the Prince George Cougars survived an 8-7 win against the Kamloops Blazers in Western Hockey League play Sunday. Philadelphia Phillies Gear . Still, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke thought taking him out before the fifth inning was an unusual move. "Im looking up at the board and hes got two hits given up and one run, and Im taking him out after the fourth inning," Roenicke said. https://www.cheapphilliesjerseys.us/ . There are some early surprises in the race for the Hart Trophy, but two of the contenders are the leagues biggest stars over the past decade. There are many more players in contention for the awards than just the three that Ive named, and a good or bad week can easily alter the landscape, but through the first 20 or so games of the NHL season, this is how the awards races look to me. Phillies Jerseys 2019 . Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said. Custom Philadelphia Phillies Jerseys . LOUIS -- Theres no telling how these wacky World Series games will end. The game ball for?Tennessees battle against?Virginia Tech at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday is currently in the process of traveling 112.7 miles by foot.The Tennessee ROTC program, escorted by the Knoxville Police Department, is running the ball from Knoxville to Bristol, Tennessee:Stay tuned as we update the status of the balls deelivery or follow #VolsRunToBristol on Twitter.dddddddddddd The trek started early Friday morning, and the goal is to arrive in Bristol in time for Saturday nights kickoff (8 p.m. ET on ABC).-?John Wilmhoff ' ' '