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! Wholesale NFL Jerseys China . - Mike Zimmer has brought a demanding style to the Minnesota Vikings. Nike NFL Jerseys Outlet . Colton Sissons also scored for Milwaukee (19-12-8), which went ahead with a two-goal third period. Wade MacLeod and Greg McKegg replied for Toronto (23-12-4). https://www.chinajerseysnfl.us/.com) - The Carolina Hurricanes hope to remain perfect at home in January on Friday night as they welcome the Vancouver Canucks to PNC Arena. Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap . He will play 10th-seeded Feliciano Lopez in Sundays final, after the Spanish left-hander defeated Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic 7-6 (7), 6-4. Cheap NFL Jerseys China . Joining him in this years class were Switzerlands Patrick Huerlimann and Norways Eigil Ramsfjell. The announcement was made at the world mens curling championship at Capital Indoor Stadium in China.Jason Pottinger chose his words carefully, because this was the first time he could speak for himself, on the record. And the Ottawa Redblacks linebacker wanted to be sure his words delivered their full effect. "Its an insult," he said over the phone Wednesday after the CFL Players Association lifted its media ban, giving its members the ability to speak openly about stalling collective bargaining talks. For Pottinger — 30 years old and an eight-year CFL veteran taken by Ottawa in Decembers expansion draft— "It," is an all-composing term, referring to the CFLs reluctance to explore any revenue-sharing model, and the publication of the leagues newest offer Wednesday, which includes a "ratification bonus" ($1,000 for rookies and $3,000 for veterans) if the players agree to the leagues terms by June 2. "Its a slap in the face." "It" ultimately alludes to a negotiation process that has made no progress for months. Like most players, Pottinger has not directly been part of the talks. There is now a week left before the current CBA expires on May 29. Last week the CFLPA began mailing out strike ballots to its members. Pottinger has received his, and he has voted Yes. "Im hopeful," he said. "But the league has to start taking us seriously." For the most part, players have kept quiet over the last few months. The CFL made certain no one representing the league or any team spoke, threatening hefty fines for any league or team official willing to share any thoughts on the negotiations. And then today - after TSN initially reported the leagues latest offer to the players - CFL commissioner Mark Cohon released the offer on the leagues website along with an open letter to players and fans. The leagues offer includes an initial nine per cent increase on the salary cap — from the existing $4.4 million to $4.8 million — in the first year of a new CBA, and a yearly $50,000 increase over the life of a new five-year deal (putting the cap at $5,050,000). The league minimum salary would also be raised from $45,000 to $50,000. And the CFL would maintain a $450,000 annual payment to the CFLPA for "Player marketing and other rights." The proposal also includes larger active rosters, plans for limited amounts of contact practices, and the continuation of player pension, medical, and life insurance benefits. "The CFL offer strikes an appropriate balance of, on the one hand, providing significant compensation increases and health and safety improvements to the Players while, on the other hand, creating an environment in which the League and its teams can continue to build for a strong and stable future," Cohon wrote in his letter to the players. "I was surprised [the league went public]," Pottinger said. "This must have been their plan. We had an understanding that neither side would approach the media for 24 hours. [The players] gave that notice [Tuesday afternoon] and the league broke that understanding. They came in [to the proposed Toronto meeting place Wednesday] handedd their proposal and walked out.dddddddddddd Now is that bargaining?" Four hours later, CFLPA executives held a press conference and released their counterproposal. The crucial component of the players offer is $6.24 million salary cap partly determined by a revenue-sharing model, which would allocate 55 per cent of gross revenue from TV, internet and radio rights, 45 per cent of gross sponsorship revenue, and 40 per cent of gross ticket revenue to the players. "We advised the CFLPA in no uncertain terms that their proposal was not realistic, and would not form the basis for any financial settlement," Cohon said in his letter. "In fact, it would threaten the very existence of the CFL." "The league has only recently been upfront with us about their finances," Pottinger said. "This isnt just about the players now. This is about the players who are coming into the league, and who will come into the league. In five years, I will likely be out of the league. I want players coming to the CFL then to say Thanks for putting up a fight. CFLPA president Scott Flory also issued a letter to CFL fans Wednesday afternoon. "We are in not interested in destroying the game that has given us all so much. We put our bodies, hearts and souls on the line and seek nothing more than to be fairly paid for what we do," Flory wrote. Sources - players both close to the negotiations and outside of the meetings - have told TSN over the past few months that some kind of revenue-sharing scheme must be an integral part of any new CBA. But are the percentages in the CFLPAs recent proposal fixed, immutable numbers? Or a starting point that hasnt yet been properly considered? Pottinger, a businessman himself working toward his Master of Business Administration, paused when considering the questions. The terms "whats fair" and "fair share" were constantly repeated principles when players were advised to say little or nothing. The message wont change now. "In the end - and I know youve heard this enough times already - but we want whats fair," he said. "I want you to write this: Back in 2010 [when the soon-to-be-expired CBA was being negotiated] revenue sharing for the players was around 56 per cent. The league approached us and said they couldnt operate with a revenue sharing model. They told us the league wouldnt be healthy. They told us to be partners. We understood. We thought we were partners." "Now it just feels like take, take, take." Players used social media to air frustration and show their filled-in strike ballots. Ones with NO crossed have yet to be seen. "In writing this letter, we the Executive, are still here where our negotiations were scheduled to be, working towards furthering talks. We need two sides," Flory wrote in his open letter. What is the timetable now? Does Pottinger expect to miss the first week of training camp? The first preseason game? The first week of the regular season? Is he ready to strike? "Im still hopeful for a new deal," Pottinger said. ' ' '