Adams is signed to Notts as a Kolpak player. The Kolpak rule is a complex legal loophole which enables him to play in England on the basis of his West Indian heritage and avoid being classed as an overseas player. He can continue to play for the county under that rule provided he has not played for New Zealand in the past year.
At 36, a Black Caps future seems unlikely. Adams is resigned to finishing his career as a county professional, playing mainly first-class matches.
"They generally save me for the longer version," Adams says. "You can play too much, especially at my age; it's different when you're younger. It's different bowling-wise too. In one-dayers you spend most of your time targeting the [block] hole, bowling defensively so you can't get hit.
"The wickets are generally a lot easier to bat on as well. In the longer version, players are still trying to bat time and it's a different mentality. You have more time to tempt them out. I prefer that these days."
Adams played for Auckland in all formats last summer. He took 13 wickets (the third equal tally nationally) in T20 cricket at an average of 14.61, 16 wickets at 24.93 in four-dayers and 16 wickets at 26.37 in one-dayers. He says that, compared to England, New Zealand's longer version cricket is dire.
"I was disappointed with the level of first-class cricket. Standards have slipped. There's not a lot more you can say. You can't slag the players off for focusing more on T20 with such [financial] prizes for success.
"Cricket is a more respected sport in England; not just a game you play between rugby seasons. It's taken seriously whereas in New Zealand it feels second-class, despite the good work of the players' association. It needs freshening up; it seems like there are too many old boys running the show who are stuck in the past."
Adams regrets not adding to his one test where he took six wickets for 105 runs in the win over England at Auckland in 2002. He had a well-documented falling out with future coach (and now Gloucestershire boss) John Bracewell and played the last of his 42 ODIs before the 2007 World Cup.
"It's pleasing to be respected on the cricket front. I'm enjoying my twilight years but it's a shame I wasn't rated good enough to play for New Zealand more. I didn't make the most of what I could have.
"But I'm proud to be playing at Nottinghamshire; it's a top club and Trent Bridge is a prestigious ground."
Adams joins Auckland in less than a week - once the English season finishes - to prepare for their Champions League qualifying matches in India. He is yet to sign up for domestic cricket in New Zealand this summer.
