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Notts to start defence against Hants
CRICKET: Nottinghamshire will not begin the defence of their LV= County Championship title until 14 April after being given a week off in the opening round of next season’s fixtures. Mick Newell’s side travel to Abu Dhabi for the season curtain-raiser against an MCC XI on 27 March, but will not be in action again until they face Hampshire at Trent Bridge more than two weeks later.