HAMPSHIRE are expected to name an unchanged side against early Specsavers County Championship leaders Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge tomorrow.

Gareth Berg is on paternity leave after the birth of Raife Alexander Berg on Wednesday, so Chris Wood is expected to retain his place against a Notts side including Stuart Broad.

Notts have two wins from their first three matches, with Hampshire only five points behind in third place after a win, a loss and a draw against Worcestershire, Surrey and Essex.

As well as Broad, Mick Newell’s side has three seamers on top of their game in Jake Ball, Harry Gurney and Luke Fletcher, who have already taken 51 wickets between them this season.

Notts began with a six-wicket win against Lancashire thanks largely to outstanding performances from former England bowlers Ball and Gurney, who recorded figures of 9-57 and 8-43 respectively as Lancashire were bowled out for 158 and 73 at Old Trafford.

Notts did not have such a happy time of it on the other side of the Pennines a week later, when they lost by 164 runs to Yorkshire at Headingley.

But they returned to form in style last week.

With Broad in their side they beat fellow promoted side Worcestershire by an innings and 41 runs after a five-for in each innings from Fletcher (5-27) and Ball (5-59).

Hampshire director of cricket Giles White said: “It’s been an interesting start with lots of weather around but we go to Trent Bridge having played some good cricket along the way so far – hopefully we can get the right result up there this week.

“I think we’re two teams that know each other well, and we’ve got good memories of Trent Bridge with important wins there in recent years.

“For us we’re nicely balanced so it’s about working as a team with both bat and ball, and if we can produce with everyone contributing, then hopefully we’ll put in that performance.”

Hampshire (from): Adams, Weatherley, Vince, Amla, Rossouw, Dawson, McManus, Abbott, Wheal, Edwards, Sole.

Nottinghamshire (from): Mullaney (c), Libby, Nash, Taylor, Patel, Wessels, Moores (w), Broad, Fletcher, Ball, Gurney, Milnes, Root.