IMAD'S GOLDEN TOUCH
Top seeds Notts get Foxes in Quarters
Top seeds Notts have been rewarded with a homequarter final against unlikely qualifiers Leicester as they beat Durham by 18runs in a low scoring encounter at sunny Trent Bridge this afternoon. Man ofthe match was Imad Wasim who followed up his 26 not out (off 24 balls) with 2-24 and two run outs; one a direct hit from backward point to the non-striker's end.
Hales after hitting a boundary off slow left armer Trevaskis (Radcliffe Road End) fell for four getting a leading edge to be caught by Clark at mid wicket, 5 for one after 4 balls. Clarke hit a four through the off side off his first ball, nine off the over. Nash pulled Potts' first ball for six, but there only one run of the rest of the over. Only two singles came off Trevaskis second over. Nash hit Carse to the point ropes.Nash innings ended when he lost his off stump to Carse, 23 for 2 off 3.5overs. Nash's innings of 13 came off 15 balls and contained 10 dot balls. The former Sussex man had to have his leg strapped during his innings and did not field. Duckett hit his first ball for a four. Clarke clattered Coughlin for three off side boundaries in four balls. Clarke then had some fortune inside edging a four. But Coughlin had the last laugh having Clarke caught at mid wicket for 22, 43 for three off 5 overs. It was a dreadful shot. Potts conceded three off the last over of the power play, 46 for three.
Rimmington went for seven in the seventh over, including a boundary for Duckett. Moores hit off spinner Steel for successive fours, the first straight and the second through extra cover, 11 off the over. The ninth over bowled by Carse went for five. Duckett reverse swept Steel for four. Notts 76 for three off 10 overs.
Moores scooped Rimmington for a four through fine leg, eight off the over. Moores (24 off 18 balls; 3x4, 1x6) hit Coughlin (2-0-24-2) for a six over long on but perished off the last ball of the 12th over, caught behind by Bedingham. The 4th wicket stand between Duckett and Moores was worth 49 in seven overs. Off the very next ball, Duckett (29 off 26 balls; 3x4) hit a full toss from Trevaskis straight to Raine at deep square leg, 92 for five off 12.1 overs. There was controversy when Lees at midoff thought he had Christian caught low down off his first ball but umpire Tim Robinson after a consultation with Paul Baldwin did not think the ball had carried. Trevaskis was the bowler, going three off the over. Christian swept Steel (3-0-24-0) for four, six off the over. Imad hit Trevaskis (4-0-25-2) for a six over long on,11 off the over. Carse (3-0-18-1) conceded four off the 16th over. Christian all at sea with 13 off 14 balls, played on to Rimmington, 119 for six. Three off the over. Mullaney hit Potts for six over extra cover, 11 off the over plus a leg bye. Rimmington (4-0-24-1) conceded six off the 19th over. The last over bowled by Potts (4-0-33-0) and off the third ball Imad hit him for six into TheFridge. Notts 150 for 6 off 20 overs with Imad on 26 and Mullaney on 16 (off nine balls). Durham looked the favourites at half-way house.
Carter (Pavilion End) bowled the first over and had Clark (1) caught at backward point by substitute Peter Trego on for Chris Nash, 2 for one off three balls. A further three runs came off the over. Ball went for two singles off the second over. Lees hit Carter for huge six and two balls later hit him through point for four. Lees edged the last ball of the over for four, 16 off the over. Lees drove Christian for four through extra cover and then for astraight four, 10 off the over. Notts needed a wicket and it came as Ben Raine(7) drilled Imad straight to Hales at mid off, 36 for two off 4.2 overs. Two balls later, Alex Lees (28) was stumped by Moores off Imad, 37 for three. It looked a very close call, but without a camera at square leg, we will never know how close it was. A total mix up saw Bedingham run out at the non striker's end as Behardien pushed the ball on the off side and started off running and turned round with Bedingham doing the same, Imad taking off the bail, 37 for 4 after four overs. A bonus wicket. Two runs came off the last over of the powerplay.
Mullaney conceded eight runs plus a leg bye in the seventh over. Carse hit Carter for a straight six and Behardien hit him for four through third man, 14 off the over. Patel conceded four singles in the ninth over. Imad conceded seven runs in the next over, Durham 73 for four off 10 overs.
The game took a decisive turn as four wickets fell in 12 balls, Behardien(16) was well caught diving to his left by Patel at short mid-wicket off Christian, 78 for five off 11 overs. Carse (24) took his hand off the bat and edged Mullaney to Carter at backward point, 80 for six. Four off the over.Steel hit Patel to Imad at backward point and going for the single was smartly run out via a direct hit from the Pakistani, 84 for seven. Coughlin fell two balls later caught at long off by Ball, as Patel picked up his first wicket, 84 for eight off 13 overs. Carter (4-0-40-1) conceded five off his last over. Potts hit Patel (4-0-18-1) for four through extra cover, 10 off the over. Trevaskis was dropped on 8 by Trego off Mullaney on the deep square leg ropes with the ball going for four to rub salt into the wounds, eight off the over. Trevaskis hit Imad (3-0-24-2) for a straight six and hit him for a six over long off, 15 off the over. A good over from Ball which went for three singles and crucially he removed Potts (12) caught by Clarke at deep mid wicket, 125 for nine off 18 overs. Seven came off the penultimate over bowled by Christian (3-0-22-1).Ball (2.1-0-7-2) yorked Rimmington for five off the first ball of the 20th over, Durham 132 all out off 19.1 overs Trevaskis 31 not out off 21 balls. Notts had won a game in which neither team had batted well by 18 runs. Notts experienced bowling line up holding their nerve, defending a small total.
Leicester probably surprised themselvesby winning at Old Trafford and will face Notts on 1st October, the winners playing Lancashire or Sussex in the semi-final two days later. MAG
Squad as before: Hales, Nash, Duckett, Clarke, Moores, Christian, Patel, Trego, Carter, Wasim, Chappell, Ball, Mullaney
Let that be the last defeat in the competition in 2020 for the Outlaws...
We batted, Duckett and Moores apart, overly enthusiastically and resulted in a total twenty runs below what we should have had.
We fielded naively, no balls for having too many players outside the circle, over throws and alleged simulated off-putting slides, all added to the charity runs donated to the Foxes.
The greatest concern was the bowling...
Seven wides (more gifted runs) and no contingency was available for a plan B, it was either spin, Mull's pace right off or Zak Chappell and Dan Christian. It was obvious that Christian had too much spin available and not enough pace for his own liking at Grace Road - hence Matt Carter had overs unused. Chappell was a tad rusty, having been on squirting sanitiser duty in the previous six games and he lacked back-up at the other end. Dan Christian had an all round off day, or rather evening.
Good points to take from the game:
The Duckett/Moores rebuilding partnership, cementing Duckett in his new adopted role.
Steven Mullany's best bowling of the tournament so far.
The fight, even when staring down both barrels, down to the bitter end.
Durham could still qualify for the knock-out stages, obviously it will necessitate other results to go in their favour, but their first object (and only thing within their control) will be to beat Outlaws heavily as they did with Lightning on Friday.
Peter's solution will be Trego in for Carter. Boost the batting and offers variety in the bowling, being a little quicker than Mullaney's stock ball.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all that - it was a very odd day in many respects but for what it's worth:
ReplyDelete1 Anyone can win or lose a 2020 game against anyone - for all the great skills and advances by its very nature the shortest format is the most unpredictable and hit and miss. We certainly should not cavil at 5 wins out of 6 games, especially when the defeat was the last one after qualification was already achieved.
2 Duckett and Moores played very well, particularly given the position we were in and the rest should, as you say have got more than a few more.
3 You are also right to highlight all the wides. Apart from the brilliance of Mullaney and Patel (again) all the bowling looked pretty leg side to me even when they were not wides. In the semi final debacle last year as well as the batting travesty we gave Worcs 12, I think, in extras and the corresponding extra balls too, in a low scoring game, whereas they gave us zero. Another major reason for that appalling result sometimes overlooked because the batsmen should obviously have won it anyway.
4 Some of the fielding was poor last night but I have actually thought in previous games that the fielding has been ok, if not quite good. Duckett and Clarke seem to be good fielders at the moment.
5 I thought last night there was one very good sign. Despite all the fielding errors and noting that it did look flat while the Ackermann Lilley stand seemed to be winning it comfortably, I thought that once we broke that stand we did actually apply pressure and show intent and intensity and at least some belief that we could still turn round a losing position. Contrast that with the impression in the second innings of the first class games where against Derbyshire especially but most of the others too for long periods the opposing batsmen seemed to be able to play as they chose and without feeling any pressure (and of course with the depressing batting collapse agaist Yorkshire). This game was not as close as the result suggests - while Ackerman was there they were always likely to win and if they had had to score a few more runs they/he would have batted slightly more enterprisingly and would have made them - but even on a bad night we took it quite close and showed the right attitude in adversity.
My sense is that most on here disgaree?
6 The suggestion that keeps cropping up that we would be a better side without Hales (or that we would prefer Hales to be playing against us batting against our attack) is completely beyond me.
Agreed, on the big occasion, Alex Hales is our greatest asset. This year he just needed more game time preparation coming into the tournament but he's getting there now and it's just a matter of time before the big one arrives. Who will be on the receiving end?
DeleteDoes anyone else think the tournament will be called off, given likely second lockdown on Tuesday, or would there be dispensation to continue it behind closed doors? If it's called off, would it just be void, or could the team with highest number of points in group get the title?
ReplyDeleteHales fails again . Is his mind on the job in hand.How about dropping him down to number 3 or 4?
ReplyDeleteJoe Clarke is virtually am opener these days with Alex being dismissed mostly in the first few overs.
Yes, Hales FAILS yet again - time for him to go - he is not worth the mega bucks Notts pay him.
ReplyDeleteNash crocked, his last game for Notts?
ReplyDeleteLeicestershire Foxes in the QF
ReplyDeleteYes, it is Leicestershire. A bit of a bogey side for us? Usually teams from same group kept apart in QF, but hasn't happened this year - all on points it seems. Surrey play Kent for example as well. Some reports Nash may be out, which would be a blow. Trego may come in - in such a case our lack of rotation may come back to bite us. As he hasn't played in the tournament.
ReplyDeleteHe's played a couple of games of T20 in the past for his previous employer, so don't worry Max.
DeleteAll the QFs on the same day, with no reserve day.
ReplyDeleteNot sure what will happen if the rain has a say.
Sky no doubt showing Surrey v Kent!
I must say I feared the worst when we posted up a pretty average total of 150
ReplyDeleteWe dont normally bowl sides out cheaply.
So well done to Notts- a lot at stake for both teams one way and another..
Summer officially ends tomorrow the 21st but Notts still have a lot to play for in this most unusual season
The side to be picked for the final 4 day game should be interesting. Are Wasim and Christian here in the UK until the Blast 20 finals?
Error!
ReplyDeleteOf course Notts have played their last 4 dayer this season.
Looking at the old original fixture list!
Imad's -anagram of Midas!!!
ReplyDeleteHales - anagram 'shale' - rock that can be unstable and can be easily split. Has several layers.
ReplyDeleteyeah!! Alex Rocks!!
DeleteI didn’t see Leicestershire coming. By winning their last two they’ve snook in to the last quarter final place , I was fearful of our other bogey team-Somerset.
ReplyDeleteI’ve seen Sussex a few times on stream and sky, they seem to win/lose every other game but have got most bases covered as a team.
Come on notts
Comparing the two sides man for man ( Leic and Notts) its no contest! Notts on paper should beat them 99 times out of a 100.
ReplyDeleteBut as Notts fans know from bitter experience things can easily go pear shaped.
Lets hope the expected fresh lockdown procedures/rules ( to be possibly announced by Boris tomorrow) do not spoil the exciting match ahead and hopefully on to Finals Blast Day.we cant take anything for granted in these unbelievable times!
For a bit of fun ( much needed!)
ReplyDeleteName your eleven players to play in the quarter final/ final. Assuming that Fletcher and all others ( apart from Harry Gurney) are fit to play and available with no other commitments
Like so many are posting Hales has to be dropped and I'd play either Trego(who hasn't played a solitary t20 game this season) or Sol Budinger or Lyndon James(none of whom I believe have ever a played a game of T20 for the first team) instead. All of these players are bound to have the edge on a rusty Hales surely. I believe this would make perfect, logical, cricket team selection sense.
ReplyDeleteVery sound reasoning Mr Dexter.
ReplyDeleteIts nice to have a sense of humour in these virus dominated days
PM does spring surprises at Quarter Finals - Chris Nash last year v Pink Panthers. If Nash is out for the count, it's got to be Peter Perfect (Trego) coming in. He wouldn't risk Sol Budinger, would he?
DeleteBen Slater has made big runs this season. Him and Clarke could make a good pairing
ReplyDeleteThe bob Willis trophy was the time to experiment and give experience , they didn’t then so won’t now. If gnasher is injured then it’s trigger, he can bowl if needed as well and for his age is a decent fielder.
ReplyDeleteIf hales comes good then we are laughing, if he doesn’t then was have we lost?.
Come on notts.
No reserve day for the quarter final Blast matches . Lets hope for 4 completed matches so we get a finals day composed of the deserving teams. Playing cricket in October is a big gamble. I cant remember games being played that late before- can anyone else?
ReplyDeleteI suppose the ECB assumed that some paying spectators would be allowed in the 4 grounds after October 1 st. Thank goodness for the much improved streaming service from TB this year plus the reliable commentary duo. I assume Radio Nottm are not doing a live commentary for the Notts quarter final match?
No reserve day for the quarter final Blast matches . Lets hope for 4 completed matches so we get a finals day composed of the deserving teams. Playing cricket in October is a big gamble. I cant remember games being played that late before- can anyone else?
ReplyDeleteI suppose the ECB assumed that some paying spectators would be allowed in the 4 grounds after October 1 st. Thank goodness for the much improved streaming service from TB this year plus the reliable commentary duo. I assume Radio Nottm are not doing a live commentary for the Notts quarter final match?
Now seeming clear that Finals Day will not have any spectators allowed.
ReplyDeleteYes - Michael Gove confirmed this morning that spectators will NOT be allowed into cricket grounds to watch the quater finals on 1st Oct or the finals on 3rd October.
ReplyDeleteGreat shame but the Country as a whole seems to be going backwards at the moment. The plan was for 30% capacity max. So looking forward to next season Notts ccc can only count on circa 5,500 spectators at the popular 20/20 fixtures. The current Membership is about 7,000 - so that in itself creates a problem . Although I know some Members give 20/20 games a miss. 4 day games will presumably go ahead as planned. Notts would love to have over 5,000 customers for County games! However the seating arrangements may be a little bizarre ?
Notts v Leics on Sky.
ReplyDeleteOh, that us a good thing, still streamed ?
ReplyDeletePutting aside my own views, if Notts win the Blast, and still an if of course, would ladies and gents on here consider this to have been a successful mini season for Notts, or not ?