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OUTLAWS NOT IN THE SAME CLASS AS IMPRESSIVE RAPIDS
Another format but yet again another heavy defeat for clueless Notts
Worcester strolled to an easy 28 run victory in front of a crowd of 12,613 in the opening T20 Blast last night. It was a familiar tale of woe with the batting failing once more and with the oppositions fielding being far faster and slicker. Worcester won the toss and elected to bat and Notts initially bowled well on a used pitch but let Worcester off the hook in the last 26 balls of the innings as Gurney and Ball over did the slower balls and Barnard (a career best 42 off 19 balls) and Cox (21 off 19 balls) took full advantage adding 59 runs. Hales and Libby apart, Notts batting was woeful with the out of form Clarke, Duckett, Moores and Patel all failing again.
Notts collapse yet again
Hales batted well for his 52 off 34 balls (3 x 4, 3 x 6) and Libby could count himself unlucky falling to an outstanding catch by man of the match Barnard on the ropes. Notts 85 for 2 off 12.1 overs fell off a cliff following Hales dismissal adding 48 for the loss seven wickets in the last 7.5 overs of the innings. Yet another batting collapse. Skipper Moeen Ali had an excellent all round match with 32 and 4 for 18 with the ball.
Luke Wood (Radcliffe Road End) opened up with three dot balls in the opening over which eventually went for nine including successive fours for Wessels. Matt Carter then conceded a sole boundary and bowled a wide in the second over. Ball bowled the third over as Worcester stood at 22 for 0. Carter conceded nine in the next over with a boundary for Wessels. The former Notts man fell to Gurney's first ball caught at backward square leg by Ball for 24, 31 for one. Gurney conceding three singles in his first over. With the last delivery of the power play Ferguson was bowled by Jake Ball for 5, 41 for 2 after six overs.
Aided by an edged four for Guptill, Worcester took eight off Patel's first over. Guptill swept Carter over square leg for six, 58 for two. Moeen Ali hit Patel for six over mid wicket, the over costing nine. Worcester were 78 for two after 10 overs with Christian going for 11. Guptill (27) blasted the ball straight back to Luke Wood, 85 for three after 11 overs. The third wicket stand between Guptill and Ali was worth 44 runs in 5 overs. Matt Carter finished with four overs for 27, all bowled from the Radcliffe Road End. D'Oliveira (2) got a leading edge and chipped Gurney to Duckett at short extra, 91 for 4. Moeen (32) fell tamely in next over gliding Patel straight to Libby on the square leg ropes, 93 for five, Patel conceding just three in over 14. Wood went for six as Worcester were 101 for five after 15 overs. Big hitting Ross Whiteley (3) fell in identical fashion to his captain, this time Libby having to run in from the ropes, 102 for 6. Patel finishing with 4-0-26-2.
Luke Wood (Radcliffe Road End) opened up with three dot balls in the opening over which eventually went for nine including successive fours for Wessels. Matt Carter then conceded a sole boundary and bowled a wide in the second over. Ball bowled the third over as Worcester stood at 22 for 0. Carter conceded nine in the next over with a boundary for Wessels. The former Notts man fell to Gurney's first ball caught at backward square leg by Ball for 24, 31 for one. Gurney conceding three singles in his first over. With the last delivery of the power play Ferguson was bowled by Jake Ball for 5, 41 for 2 after six overs.
Aided by an edged four for Guptill, Worcester took eight off Patel's first over. Guptill swept Carter over square leg for six, 58 for two. Moeen Ali hit Patel for six over mid wicket, the over costing nine. Worcester were 78 for two after 10 overs with Christian going for 11. Guptill (27) blasted the ball straight back to Luke Wood, 85 for three after 11 overs. The third wicket stand between Guptill and Ali was worth 44 runs in 5 overs. Matt Carter finished with four overs for 27, all bowled from the Radcliffe Road End. D'Oliveira (2) got a leading edge and chipped Gurney to Duckett at short extra, 91 for 4. Moeen (32) fell tamely in next over gliding Patel straight to Libby on the square leg ropes, 93 for five, Patel conceding just three in over 14. Wood went for six as Worcester were 101 for five after 15 overs. Big hitting Ross Whiteley (3) fell in identical fashion to his captain, this time Libby having to run in from the ropes, 102 for 6. Patel finishing with 4-0-26-2.
The wheels then started to come off from a Notts perspective.
Gurney returned and conceded nine, including a boundary for Barnard. Wood conceded 13 in the 18th over including successive offside boundaries for Barnard. Wood 4-0-35-1. Barnard hit Gurney for a six over mid wicket into the Larwood and Voice and then scooped him for four next ball. Gurney's response was a no ball beamer, the left armer 4 0 35 1. Ball's conceded 14 off the last over, bowling too many slower balls. Cox and Barnard added 59 for the seventh wicket in 4.2 overs as Worcester closed on 161 for six.
The total looked competitive.
Pennington opened up from the Pavilion End and opened with five dot balls, then Clarke drove him over mid on for four. Parnell also conceded four in his opening over. Clarke (5) fell tamely caught at point by Whiteley off Pennington, 8 for 1. Pennington was driven for four by Hales, 13 for one off 3 overs. An airy fairy shot from Duckett (2) saw him drive Brown straight to Wessels at extra cover, 15 for two in the 4th over. Hales smashed Pennington into the Fox Road for six, ten off the over. Hales drove Parnell through the covers for four, 36 for 2 after the power play.
Brown conceded five in the seventh over and then Barnard went for eight including an off side four for Libby. D'Oliveira went for six in the ninth over. Notts were 17 behind Worcester at the half way stage at 61 for two. Hales hit d'Oliveira for a massive six into the back of the Larwood and Voice and two balls later replicated the shot, 16 off the over. Hales got to 50 off 32 balls with four and a single off Moeen, 83 for two off 12 overs. A swing and miss saw Hales bowled by Barnard for 52, 85 for three.
Pennington opened up from the Pavilion End and opened with five dot balls, then Clarke drove him over mid on for four. Parnell also conceded four in his opening over. Clarke (5) fell tamely caught at point by Whiteley off Pennington, 8 for 1. Pennington was driven for four by Hales, 13 for one off 3 overs. An airy fairy shot from Duckett (2) saw him drive Brown straight to Wessels at extra cover, 15 for two in the 4th over. Hales smashed Pennington into the Fox Road for six, ten off the over. Hales drove Parnell through the covers for four, 36 for 2 after the power play.
Brown conceded five in the seventh over and then Barnard went for eight including an off side four for Libby. D'Oliveira went for six in the ninth over. Notts were 17 behind Worcester at the half way stage at 61 for two. Hales hit d'Oliveira for a massive six into the back of the Larwood and Voice and two balls later replicated the shot, 16 off the over. Hales got to 50 off 32 balls with four and a single off Moeen, 83 for two off 12 overs. A swing and miss saw Hales bowled by Barnard for 52, 85 for three.
Notts collapsed in spectacular fashion.
Libby was brilliantly caught on the run at wide long off by Ed Barnard off Moeen for 24, 89 for four. Worcester’s fielding throughout was outstanding. Dan Christian was out for a golden duck caught behind by Cox off Moeen, 90 for five. Patel and Moores hit Barnard for four as Notts were 102 for five off 15 overs. Patel (6) then perished caught at long off by Barnard off Moeen, 102 for six. Moores (11) skied to the covers where Pennington took an easy catch, Moeen 4 for 18 in his spell. Pennington conceded nine in the 17th over including a boundary for Carter. Just five came off the 18th over bowled by Patel Brown. Luke Wood (7) lost his off stump by Parnell, 119 for eight. Six runs were obtained off the 19th over despite a four for Carter. Carter (14) lost his middle stump to Brown, 125 for nine. Gurney edged a four as Notts closed on 133 for nine. It had been a very limp batting performance with many of the crowd leaving before the end. The away game Friday at Leeds seems a very tough assignment for a team who have now gone 73 days without a victory and which are desperately short of form or confidence. MAG
I suppose this fixture couldn't have come soon enough for Notts:
I suppose this fixture couldn't have come soon enough for Notts:
- playing punch drunk in the Championship, floundering in every game without being competitive in any aspect (Ashwin apart)
- resultant confidence is low but in spite of this the squad remains a happy bunch, or so we are told
- in comes some fresh meat; Captain Dan Christian, Alex Hales and Harry Gurney our T20 specialists
- red ball skipper, Steven Mullaney, has taken himself off for an knee operation and a lie down following the last Championship game for a few weeks
- Ben Duckett's hip injury was expected to keep him out
- Paul Coughlin hasn't started playing football yet, so isn't ready to make the hoped for major impact for the Outlaws
- Notts need to see a change in fortune, as well as us supporters
So who do we play? Reigning Champions, Worcestershire Rapids and side further strengthened by the addition of Riki Wessels since they won last season.
For Outlaws' part, in addition to the above woes, we have no second overseas player as the budget doesn't allow for it, which compounds our lack of options when taking the pace off the ball. Last season that job was spread between Patel, Mullaney and Sodhi but this year we won't have Sodhi, Mull has had his op so won't be around and Patel has just been making up the numbers since May, so where do we look?
Liam Patterson-White has been taking over from Patel in the Championship but is unlikely to make any impact on the Outlaws squad, whereas Matt Carter looked set to play in T20 but has recently lost form, confidence and put on the pounds - his stats don't look too great either. Another problem for the hardworking coaching staff to work through. Perhaps they should give Sam Wood a call, bring him back as he's been winning games in the Notts Premier League.
Double T20 Champion, Luke Wood should play on merit and because he's one of our more mobile fielders however I was expecting to see a squad of at least 15 announced, basically everyone that's available, but with a SEC game on at Lady Bay we can narrow the selection down to 12.
Alex Hales
Joe Clarke
Tom Moores
Jake Libby
Chris Nash
Samit Patel
Dan Christian
Luke Wood
Luke Fletcher
Jake Ball
Harry Gurney
Matt Carter
add to those Ben Duckett and that is the official 13 man squad
There's a story circulating that Gurney is injured and Zak Chappell has been drafted in.
Alex Hales
Joe Clarke
Tom Moores
Jake Libby
Chris Nash
Samit Patel
Dan Christian
Luke Wood
Luke Fletcher
Jake Ball
Harry Gurney
Matt Carter
add to those Ben Duckett and that is the official 13 man squad
Face saver for the dire CC season ?
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to think so, Reality though will no doubt rear its ugly head, We have to face facts
Most of our team are in probably the worst form they can recall in their cricketening lives, Okay this is a different form of the game, But cricket is whatever the form played still very much a confidence game
We have to hope that Messers Christian, Hales and Guerney will be unaffected by their teammates woes and somehow drag them into performing as a cohesive unit.
One thing though is for certain , If Notts T20 campaign goes the way of the CC season, Then surely the proverbial must hit the fan!
Good luck to the lads in the coming T20 matches .
ReplyDeleteUs long term supporters need cheering up after watching the dross of the past few weeks .
A footnote to Dave Bracegirdle ( whom I think is a decent commentator with many interesting facts and anecdotes )
Dave -I am sure you are best mates with quite a few of the Notts team . But could you please widen your vocabulary to include adjectives like 'useless"- "awful"- "pathetic" "embarrassing" etc etc .
These are simple words that you should have used in the past few weeks cosidering the weak displays you have seen from the Notts first eleven recently .
We just cannot keep having these cosy commentaries that give the impression that not much is wrong at Notts CCC.
All the members know things are not right . I think your match ball-by-ball comments should reflect the woes in a more forceful manner . Why not highlight some of the batting and bowling stats of the current squad from time to time at relevant points in the game ?
You will lose all credibility with the listeners unless you more accurately reflect whats really going on in the Club presently . Dont sweep the unpleasant truth under the carpet . Just call a spade a spade sometimes when its required !
We do indeed need cheering up
DeleteVery well said 76no, A few seasons ago Radio Football(sorry, Nottingham) dare to criticise Forest striker Marlon Harewoid and they refused to do player interviews(for what the monosyllabic players are worth )after that so Dave Double Corsett we all know where you're coming from.................
DeleteI completely agree about Bracegirdle. He seems far too close to the club and needs to be a lot more objective.
DeleteDear concerned Colleagues,
ReplyDeleteI really believe that we now have to ease up on the Committee and individuals within the Club and give the Committee opportunity to make progress in what will undoubtedly be some perhaps very difficult discussions and negotiations - the employment status of certain staff may well be involved.
We are all deeply disappointed with the 4-day Game results over the past year and some of us see something more 'sinister' at work behind the scenes - but we don't know. There is a danger of being 'conspiracy theorists' and jumping to some unfounded conclusions.
There seems to be a general acceptance that 'Trent Bridge Limited' is doing very well BUT what WE want is to see the cricket-side doing well - and so we are deeply disappointed at the 'direction of travel' - the down-grading, as it is seen, of the 50 Overs Competition despite the recent World Cup success; the loss of 50 Overs Matches at Trent Bridge; the loss of the 6 weeks or so of the 100-ball Competition (which will be nothing to do with Notts) and it, of course, not forming part of our membership. Some of us also wwonder if there will be a direct impact on the T20 from next Season onwards as most of us have limited financial resources and several Matches will be on terrestrial TV. The T20 has been very good to Notts (and others) and most supporters feel that 'If it aint broke, don't fix it.'
So, there are a number of separate bit inter-twined issues very much all coming together at once which are causing great alarm. The Notts Committee are not responsible for them all other than their, in my opinion, unwise and almost blind support of the ECB.
We have a futher members Forum in September and then the AGM in 2020 - both are likely to be 'fiesty' affairs.
The threat of the calling of an Extrardinary General Meeting (EGM) remains hovering over the Committee but those of us who see some merit in that also prefer to give our Committee sufficient breathing space to seek to come up with some new initiatives as to how to more forward positively and together.
I hope that this perhaps helps to better explain the current situation - it is only my own personal view in the main but just as it is OUR Club so it is OUR Committee and we need to support them until such time as we collectively believe that they are not working together for both our and the Club's best interests.
And, let's hope that the T20 does produce some much needed success which will then, hopefully, translate into the 4-day Games.
Philip.measures"at"gmail.com you know what to substitute "at" with
Wise words Notts Viewer.
ReplyDeletePerhaps ,upon reflection some of us may have been a little harsh in one or two comments we have made recently . It comes out of frustration when you see highly paid players simply not performing . They seemed to be simply turning up to collect their wage packets ,lose a game as quickly as possible so they could get back on the golf course .
We have got to bear in mind the catalogue of injuries that have plagued Notts for a while now .Sometimes nothing goes right .
But they do say you have to MAKE your own luck ? !
No doubt the T20 side will be fired up with the inclusion of one or two "fresh" minds and bodies and the vast experience and influence of Dan Christian .
So regardless of whats happened in the four day game we have got to give full support and encouragement to the white ball side . NottsCCC averaged over 10,000 spectators for the T20 matches last season . That produces and amazing amount of badly needed income and on top of revenue from the gate we also have massive profits derived from beer/lager/wine sales plus the rentals from mobile food vans .
So we all have to realize that without the one day game being successful there perhaps could not be a viable four day side ?
Its thought that many Notts Committee members read this forum and no doubt they have taken note of the level of general dissatisfaction expressed by many various long term supporters -many of whom have extensive knowledge of the game .
Lets just hope that the current Committee have sufficient "bottle' to do what is necessary to pull the Club round from its current dismal situation .
Lets hope for a resounding victory this Thursday at Trent bridge ! The first of many I hope . We are well overdue some good victories and top quality performances and entertainment .
The above comments are from Philip, reposted by myself
DeleteWORCESTERSHIRE RAPIDS
ReplyDeleteGuptill
Wessels
Moeen Ali ©
Ferguson
D’Oliveira
Cox (w)
Whiteley
Barnard
Parnell
Mitchell
Brown
Pennington
Finch
We no longer resemble a cricket team capable of winning or even competing seriously.
ReplyDeleteSadly, well, no need for any more. Where is the anticipated Statement from Notts about our current plight and any actions to be taken?
ReplyDeleteI havent been able to watch notts recently due to clashes with work, so was interested to see what has been happening this season. We gave away too many runs late on but 160 odd should be chaseable at trent bridge. It soon became evident that we were going to struggle when Clarke and duckett fell to punish drives. Poor shots. Hales and libby batted us back into the game but the way we fell apart after then was shocking. Moores's dismissal was the sort of thing you would see in an evening league game. Not sure where we go from here. Lots of well paid players who dont seem bothered in my opinion. Why wouldn't you want to perform at trent bridge. From the outside it looks like there are issues behind the scenes. Big changes are needed. Rain is forecast for friday. Probably a good thing.
ReplyDeleteFair enough piece mate but (and not being an apologist) it was blatant a few overs in that was a dead pitch, slow and not coming onto the bat as per the World Cup. 160 was a winning total as it would've been for Notts. Game lost in the last 3 overs of the Worcs innings, who defended by fielding brilliantly. I can understand all negativity but last night played a great side on a crap pitch, winning the toss won the game.
ReplyDeleteNo,Worcestershire are not a 'great side' and the Match was well within Notts ability to win - there remains a lack of application by a number of Players. Tom Moores now has to either play better immediately or be dropped; Joe Clarke probably needs a complete break to help get his mind back on track; Patel seems to have run out of steam (and technique) and Duckett seems no better. Libby shows glimpses of what could be but remains in the doldrums and I remain sceptical as to what bowling threat Libby really presents. Dan Christian has a real uphill struggle ahead of him inheriting a demoralised and not very good group of players but perhaps his brand of motivation may yet work - let's hope so.
DeleteIt was a difficult pitch , which probably suited Worcestershire 's bowlers, more than Notts.
ReplyDeleteBut Hales apart, Notts were second best.
Apart from the well documented batting woes, which on last night's performance, showed no improvement, the other big headache for Notts is how do you hide a handful of arthritic fielders. At times it resembled old age pensioners attempting to run for a departing bus. Embarrassing.
On the playing front, the club is in a complete mess, and at the moment there is no sun on the horizon
Worcester played well last night for sure. However, they have brought up many of their own players and fair play for them for doing that. When did notts last bring players through? Notts then pinch joe clarke from worcester - although to me that is a shocking decision by the notts management. I heard an 8 year old last night asking his dad why hales and clarke didnt play for england anymore. The dad then had to try and skirt around the drugs issue with hales and told his son that it was a bad idea to take drugs. He offered a trip for food to dodge the clarke debacle. How many similar conversations happened around trent bridge last night? We should be a better club than this. I would rather have kept riki wessels and not have to talk about sex and drugs with kids at the cricket. My other point is that why do the players get worse when they come to trent bridge? Ball hasn't progressed in two or three years, duckett and Clarke have played fine innings against notts before. Coughlin is a walking sick note. Surely this raises questions about the management of the players or the physio staff who cant keep the players fit. If I was on the notts committee today, I would give the cowleys a ring a lincoln city. They can motivate average players to improve and turn sick note players into fully fit regulars. Notts need a long look at themselves. How many notts players would have taken the ed Barnard catch last night. Many wouldn't have even got close to having a go at catching the ball. Sad to see.
ReplyDeleteMost of our batsmen need to be dropped. It's not going them any good with the form they're in. Moores, Clarke, Duckett, Patel - I'm looking at you lot.
ReplyDelete