v Glamorgan YB40 Final at Lord's

24 year wait is over

Notts finally broke their limited-overs trophy hoodoo with a comprehensive 87 run victory over Glamorgan in front of a 15,000 crowd at Lord’s. In a great team effort Notts eventually proved far too good for their valiant opponents.

Swann and Broad came back in as Ball (back injury) and Riki Wessels were left out. Glamorgan won the toss and inserted Notts on a dull cloudy day. The floodlights’ were on from the seventh over of the Notts innings and remained switched on until the game ended at 1645. Michael Hogan bowled a Harmisonque wide to start the proceedings but batting was initially very tricky as the ball was zipping around on an albeit slow surface. Hales and Lumb though built a good platform by adding 52; the highlight being a six over long on by Lumb off Allenby.

Andrew Salter was introduced from the Nursery End the young off spinner got Lumb (28) out caught and bowled. Hales (18) not as fluent as Lumb then departed in the next over being caught on the deep cover boundary off Simon Jones, who got a standing ovation playing in his final List A game. Patel (10) drove Salter straight to mid off as Notts were now 80 for three in the 18^th over. The wicket was slow and timing the ball was proving difficult. Taylor briefly broke the shackles with a couple of fours but nicked Jones behind for 22; 90 for four. Glamorgan were fielding well, with Dean Cosker at backward point being particularly outstanding.

The game changing moment though was just around the corner, however when the butter fingered Gareth Rees dropped Hussey low at mid off when on three off the unlucky Salter, this proved an extremely expensive miss. Read and Hussey both having disappointing seasons with the bat used all their experience on the stodgy wicket by reining in their natural game and settling for scoring at four or five an over, as Notts slowly built a commanding position. They eventually opened up, as Read hit two sixes the second of which was off the first ball of the batting power play (taken after 34 overs) bowled by left armer Wagg and it sailed into the Pavilion. Next ball however Hussey was a bit slow responding his captain’s call and was run out by Ben Wright. Hussey announced after the game that next week’s relegation showdown with Somerset would be his last for the club; the Australian has proved to the most outstanding overseas player for Notts since Franklyn Stephenson discounting the brief cameo from Hashim Amla three years ago. Hussey’s 42 came off 46 balls as Notts were 189 for five. Read then holed out to deep cover where Cooke took the catch as Hogan took his first wicket. Read had scored a run a ball 53, that had taken the game away from Glamorgan. The par score looked around 220 and Notts now looked like they would exceed it.

Swann (29 not out) and Mullaney (21) added 42 in 3.4 overs as the batting power play went for 47 runs.  Mullaney was eventually bowled by Wagg and then off the last ball of the innings Broad was bowled by Hogan departing with a golden duck. Notts 244 for eight off 40 overs, the 244 runs being identical to the match winning total in their previous Lord’s final appearance 24 years before. It looked a total well beyond Glamorgan.

Mark Wallace departed off Gurney's initial ball hitting the left armer straight to Taylor at point, Glamorgan 4 for one off seven balls. Glamorgan got to 40 for one after the 8-over power play. Broad being guilty of dropping too short on a few occasions was relieved and Shahzad replaced him from the Pavilion End and with his fourth ball bowled left hander Rees (29) neck and crop, 42 for two. Dual-national South African Chris Cooke who has been prolific in 40 over cricket in 2013 played the best innings for Glamorgan and added 66 runs in 11 overs with Jim Allenby as the match seemed evenly poised. Enter Samit Patel who had boldly predicted before the game that Notts were far too good for their opponents. He backed up his words by bowling the decisive spell from the Nursery End. First he got one to turn to remove Cooke’s off stump, 108 for three. Cooke’s 46 came off 45 balls. In his next over, Allenby (34) was removed in identical fashion as the Glamorgan fans suddenly went silent. Glamorgan now 115 for four. It was game, set and match soon afterwards as Patel now in inspired form removed Murray Goodwin leg before for 6, 118 for five. Patel eventually finished with 70-21-3 and the man of the match award. There was only Wagg plus the Tail left now and this was completely swept up. Wright (14) was caught at mid-wicket by Lumb off Shahzad. Two balls later Shahzad who would not have  played if Ball had not gone lame picked his third wicket as Salter was removed leg before. Broad then picked up the dust pan and brush as the final three wickets were swept-up in an over. Broad bowling from the Pavilion End, removed Cosker (3) caught at mid off by Mullaney off his first ball. Two balls later Wagg (18) was caught by Read and then finally off his last ball Hogan (0) played on as Glamorgan were all out for 157 with 42 balls unused. Broad (7-0-29-3) and Shahzad (6-0-33-3) had supported Patel well. Swann meanwhile was wicket less with 6-0-36-0. Notts were worthy champions of the competition having won 11 of their 14 fixtures in 2013. This final victory was built on a fine team effort with virtually every one chipping in sometime during this memorable day. At last Notts have a one day trophy in cabinet after over two decades of underachievement. Congratulations to everybody concerned.

They must now use this victory as a springboard for the ever so crucial fixture against Somerset on Tuesday which in the grand scheme of things is much more important. It would be marvellous to see David Hussey leave Trent Bridge with one last outstanding innings.    MAG

Notts have announced a 14 man squad for Saturday, no Ball but includes Fletch.

OUTLAWS' BALL'S OUT

After another lack lustre showing in the Durham championship defeat changes were always going to happen for the Lord's final.

In will come: Alex Hales, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann and perhaps one or two of Ajmal Shahzad and Graeme White 

Yes no Jake Ball who has "a back injury" - which gets the D of C of the hook to some extent.

Making way will be: Paul Franks, Luke Fletcher, Andre Adams and also perhaps Harry Gurney, Steven Mullaney or Riki Wessels.

It's unlikely the now formless Titch will be dropped however.

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DUO AVAILABLE

England's Centrally Contracted duo, Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad, have been made available for the YB40 Final against Glamorgan.

If he plays, it will be Swanny's third game in this year's competition but would represent Broady's season debut should he displace anyone one from the eleven that crushed Somerset so convincingly in the semi final.

Tweeting Notts supporters' views are divided; should the D of C remain loyal to the players that eventually lurched to the knock-out stages and then breezed to the final or should he play his strongest side?

If the two were available for the preceding game against Durham or the match at Trent Bridge against Somerset, then this Nottsviewer doesn't see much a problem but if Flowers and Miller are being more particular then the dilemma does present itself to Mick.