Tom Moores

Tom Moores' emergence as a county cricketer to be reckoned with in 2018 was perfectly timed, coming after the retirement of Chris Read, who had long been recognised as one of the most influential figures in Nottinghamshire history. It was a tough ask for Moores, made all the more complicated by the fact that his father Peter, once coach of England, was now fulfilling that role at Trent Bridge.

Moores, a left-handed batsman and wicketkeeper, rose to the challenge, striking a free-spirited maiden Championship century after Nottinghamshire had followed on at Taunton and producing a remarkably innings against Essex the following week when, hobbling around the crease and batting with a runner, he launched a brazen assault against the Essex spinner Simon Harmer. A dangerous T20 campaign and some athletic wicketkeeping added to a fine summer.

Moores, a former England Under-19 cricketer, signed a two-year professional contract with Nottinghamshire after a breakthrough season in 2016 in which he played 12 matches across the three formats on loan with Lancashire - taking an opportunity presented by injuries to Alex Davies and Jos Buttler - before returning to claim a place in the first team at Trent Bridge, scoring 41 on his Nottinghamshire debut when he batted at No. 3 against Yorkshire in Scarborough. His emergence was one of the few bright spots for Nottinghamshsire as they were relegated in the Championship.

At 21, he was an ever-present in the Notts Outlaws side that won the NatWest T20 Blast for the first time in the club's history in 2017, his most important knock being 57 in a vital win against Derbyshire Falcons.

ESPNcricinfo staff