Outlaws win home tie against familiar foe
Notts obtained a home semi-final against bogey team Somerset after an efficient performance at the St Lawrence ground yesterday.
Home skipper James Tredwell won the toss and elected to bat in front of a large festival week crowd of three to four thousand. Notts had their familiar 40 over eleven out on the pitch. Kent despite having nothing but pride to play for put a reasonably strong team out on warm sunny day.
Harry Gurney who bowled excellently had Sam Northeast caught at second slip by Samit Patel for 2, three for one after nine balls. Both opening bowlers Gurney and Ball beat the bat more than once as the Spitfires got off to a spluttering start as they only reached 28 for one after the mandatory eight over Power Play.
Rob Key survived a close run out scare as Wessels had a direct hit but in the next over he departed for 41 caught behind off David Hussey bowling from the Nackington Road End.; 79 for two.
Notts bowling and fielding with great discipline were holding Kent in a tight rein on a slow pitch with a large outfield where boundaries were hard to obtain. Left hander Nash and the experienced Stevens added 33 in six overs before Nash (47) was caught easily by Hussey off the deserving Ball. Mullaney who bowled his eight overs continuously from the Pavilion End completed a tight spell of 8-0-25-0; which the very small Notts contingent appreciated. Darren Stevens (27) lofted Patel straight to Mullaney who took his tenth catch of the competition at long off; 130 for four. Geraint lasted five balls for a single as Patel who bowled a much stronger second spell had him leg before.
Kent took the batting power play as Bexley youngster Adam Ball (22) added 39 with the third generation Cowdrey (Fabian). Ball eventually was caught in the covers as Shahzad picked up his first wicket. Cowdrey eventually reached 39 not as Kent closed on 195 for six, about 30 runs under par. Shahzad apart all the Notts bowlers went for five runs per over or less.
Hales and Lumb got Notts off to brisk start adding 42 in 38 balls before former Notts loanee Davies bowling to plan had Lumb stumped by Jones off a wide; Lumb gone 28. Taylor was out to the same combination as he fell to cut shot after he struggled for 18 balls for six; 57 for two. Hales and Patel batted determinedly and out of character as they added 107 runs in 22 overs on the soporific pitch. Patel hit the first six of the day off the disappointing Riley. Notts took the batting power play and Patel’s eyes lit up but he only succeeded hoisting the admirable Tredwell to long on where sub Ben Harmison took the catch; Patel had scored 59 off 70 balls with four fours and one six. The Kent members though who had turned up in great numbers were now heading for the exit gates. Hales ran out himself being a victim off a fine throw from the deep by Adam Ball after going a second. His 74 came off 90 balls with four fours and plenty of singles. He was named man of the match by Sky TV. Riki Wessels (9) hold out to deep mid wicket as Stevens picked up his solitary wicket. Hussey (19*) hit a straight six off left arm seamer Ball to get Notts over the line to start the celebrations in the Notts dressing room. Notts were home and hosed.
Not a match to be enjoyed by the non-committed but Notts will not be complaining after breaking their losing sequence. They now have a home tie against Somerset to look forward to; in nine List A cup games Notts have a just one victory to look back on coupled with a couple of Twenty/20 sudden death defeats Somerset are most unwelcome opponents. Notts are now two victories away from winning their first one-day title since 1991, all the other 17 first-class counties have won titles since. Indeed Lancashire (1999) and Derbyshire (1993) are the only oyher two counties to not have a 21st century limited overs title. MAG
Judgement Day
So his self-appointed Judgement Day has arrived at Mick Newell's door; at the "Members Forum" he asked to be judged after the (possibly) last of 3 YB40 games, today being the third. Today's game has been preceded by two green-clad defeats and a massacre in red-ball cricket. Confidence must be low and the situation has to be managed artfully otherwise a familiar course of events seems almost inevitable.
Notts will qualify for the semi-finals of this competition if:
- They beat Kent
- They don't lose to Kent and Northants don't beat Warwickshire.
- If Northants do win and Notts don't, results in the other groups could still allow Notts to progress but only gaining an away tie.
Kent as Sussex and Worcestershire before them, have nothing to play for, other than pride and having home advantage could prove to be a dangerous opposition. On paper, as usually the case, Outlaws should win at a canter but..........................................
The same squad of the usual suspects has been announced so the final eleven will be decided after viewing the conditions, no doubt.
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