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CENTURION HALES GIVES NOTTS NARROW VICTORY
Man of the match Alex Hales scored an unbeaten 101 off 66 balls (12x4, 3x6) as Notts had a narrow 7 run victory over visitors Lancashire in a day of intermittent sunshine at Trent Bridge.An unchanged Notts were inserted by Dane Vilas and lost Clarke early. Hales dominated throughout on the same pitch used for previous 2 Blast games. The only blemish for Hales was the running out of Sol Budinger for 10. Notts ended the power play on 58 for 3. But immediately after slow left armer Hartley picked up Duckett, as the Lancashire spinners applied the brakes. Moores and Patel fell to Croft and Parkinson respectively, Notts wobbling at 103 for 5 in the 14th over. Mullaney joined Hales and they added 69 in 6 overs for the 6th wicket as Notts closed on a competitive 173 for 6. Hales knock, his second T20 ton for Notts was a typical display of 360 degree power hitting on a wicket where timing the ball was not always easy. Carter removed Allen early, but Patel (4-0-40-0) for once proved expensive, going for 21 in his second over. Davies hit five sixes in a 15-ball 39 to get Lancashire to 60 for two at the end of the power play. But after Davies holed out to Carter, Lancashire were slowly pulled back. Carter was the pick of the bowlers with 3-17 off 3 overs and was well supported by Ball (3-0-18-1), Harrison (3-0-17-1) and Mullaney (3-0-26-1). Lancashire steadily lost wickets and stood at 102 for 6 in the 13th over. Croft (41)dropped by Patel on 20 in tandem with Luke Wood with a T20 best of 33 not out added 52 in 6 overs for the 6th wicket. With Fletcher (4-0-44-0) and Ball closing out the innings, Croft fell to catch by Patel off Ball as boundaries became fewer. With 17 needed from the last over, Fletcher restricted Lancashire to nine as Notts claimed another narrow win to stay top of the Northern Section.
Play started at 15:00 with Clarke (6) found the point boundary off Mahmood (Radcliffe Road End), but the seamer had his revenge as Clarke skied to Wood at mid wicket, 6 for 1, seven off the opening over. Hales hit Wood for four through backward square leg, five off the over. Budinger hit Lamb through backward point. Hales then hit a lofted four over long on, 23 for 1 after 3 overs. Budinger hit Mahmood for 4 through square leg. Hales hit the same bowler for 4 towards backward point. Hales went for an impossible single to Finn Allen in the covers and Budinger was run out for 10, 34 for 2 after 4 overs. Hales guided Wood for 4 through the vacant slip position, six off the over. Hales hit Lamb for three successive fours through extra cover and straight and backward point. Duckett completed the power play with a cover boundary, Notts 58 for two.
Duckett (7) reverse swept Hartley, caught by Mahmood at short third man, 61 for 3, four off the over. Croft conceded four runs off his first over. Hales lofted Parkinson for a square leg six, 10 off the over. Hales reached 50 off 33 balls with a boundary off Wood, 84 for three off 10 overs.
Hartley conceded 4 off the 11th over. Moores (9) perished caught at long off by Davies off Croft, three off the over. Hartley conceded four off the 13th over. Patel(10) hit Parkinson for 6 over cover point, but fell next ball skying to Croft at extra cover, 103 for 5 in the 14th over. Hales hit Hartley (4-0-25-1)for six over square leg, the ball hitting a spectator at the front of The Fridge, Hales walking all the way over to the boundary edge to check on his welfare.. Next ball, Hales caressed the ball to the square leg ropes, 13 off the over. Hales hoisted Parkinson for a huge six over square leg, 129 for 5 off 16 overs. Mullaney hit Mahmood to the cover boundary. Hales pulled Mahmood fora 4 over fine leg, 11 off the 17th over. Mullaney hit Lamb for 6 off long off, 150 for 5 off 18 overs. Hales straight drove Wood for 4. Next ball he pulled the left armer to the boundary. A massive six over mid wicket saw Hales to his 100 off 60 balls, 16 off the over. Mullaney hit Mahmood for 6 over point. Three dot balls followed, the last one removed Mullaney (25)caught at extra cover by Croft, 172 for six. Another dot ball followed this time Hales the batsman. Notts got a bye off the last ball. Notts 173 for 6 off 20 overs Hales 101 not out.
Three including 1 leg bye came off the first over from the Radcliffe Road End bowled by Patel. Allen (2) lost his leg stump going for a leg side shot off Carter, 6 for 1. Carter conceded four off the 2nd over. Jennings reverse swept Patel for 4. Davies then hit Patel for a straight four. Two balls later, Davies hit him for successive sixes over long off, 21 off the over. Ball conceded 4 in the fourth over. Jennings ramped Fletcher for 4. Davies smashed Fletcher for successive leg side sixes, 18 off the over. Davies then hit Carter for 6 overmid wicket, as Lancashire were off to fast start. Davies (39) tried one big shot too many being caught by Clarke right on the ropes at deep backward square leg off Carter, 58 for 2. Lancashire 60 for 2 at the end of the power play.
Six came off Harrison's first over. Vilas cover drove Maloney’s first ball for 4. Vilas was leg before to Mullaney for 11, 74 for 3 off 8 overs. Jennings was well caught and bowled by Harrison diving to his right for 21 off 21 balls, 76 for 4. Croft swept Harrison for 4, seven off the over. Croft thick edged Mullaney for 4,Lancashire 88 for 4 off 10 overs.
Jones hit Patel for a mid wicket boundary, nine off the over. Rob Jones was leg before to Carter for 5, 97 for 5. Both umpires raising their fingers on his dismissal ashe was also stumped by the juggling Moores. Carter conceded four off the over.Croft went for a risky two, Lamb being run out for 2 by Budinger at deep square leg, Harrison the bowler. Croft was dropped on 20 by Patel at short third man off Harrison. Mullaney conceded 11 off the 14th over as Croft hit a boundary. Wood hit Fletcher to the mid wicket ropes, eight off the over. Croft pulled a slower ball from Ball to the square leg ropes, nine off the over. Wood hit Patel for a straight four. Lancashire 142 for 6 off 17 overs. Wood hit Fletcher for four through mid wicket, 9 off the over. The 50 partnership between Croft and Wood had come in 36 balls. Croft on the scoop was caught by Patel off Ball, 154 for seven with 8 balls remaining. Fletcher bowled the last over with 17 required, but Wood and Harley failed to find the ropes and could only scamper 9 as the home crowd of 3,900 could go home happy.
Notts had won another close game as their team confidence remains high. The major concern remains their power play bowling that has only fired in the two games against Worcester. Five days off now until the Foxes arrive at Trent Bridge on Thursday. MAG
Sol Budinger
Alex Hales
Joe Clarke
Ben Duckett
Steven Mullaney
Samit Patel
Peter Trego
Tom Moores
Calvin Harrison
Matt Carter
Luke Fletcher
Dane Paterson
Jake Ball
Joey Evison
Zak Chappell
Play started at 15:00 with Clarke (6) found the point boundary off Mahmood (Radcliffe Road End), but the seamer had his revenge as Clarke skied to Wood at mid wicket, 6 for 1, seven off the opening over. Hales hit Wood for four through backward square leg, five off the over. Budinger hit Lamb through backward point. Hales then hit a lofted four over long on, 23 for 1 after 3 overs. Budinger hit Mahmood for 4 through square leg. Hales hit the same bowler for 4 towards backward point. Hales went for an impossible single to Finn Allen in the covers and Budinger was run out for 10, 34 for 2 after 4 overs. Hales guided Wood for 4 through the vacant slip position, six off the over. Hales hit Lamb for three successive fours through extra cover and straight and backward point. Duckett completed the power play with a cover boundary, Notts 58 for two.
Duckett (7) reverse swept Hartley, caught by Mahmood at short third man, 61 for 3, four off the over. Croft conceded four runs off his first over. Hales lofted Parkinson for a square leg six, 10 off the over. Hales reached 50 off 33 balls with a boundary off Wood, 84 for three off 10 overs.
Hartley conceded 4 off the 11th over. Moores (9) perished caught at long off by Davies off Croft, three off the over. Hartley conceded four off the 13th over. Patel(10) hit Parkinson for 6 over cover point, but fell next ball skying to Croft at extra cover, 103 for 5 in the 14th over. Hales hit Hartley (4-0-25-1)for six over square leg, the ball hitting a spectator at the front of The Fridge, Hales walking all the way over to the boundary edge to check on his welfare.. Next ball, Hales caressed the ball to the square leg ropes, 13 off the over. Hales hoisted Parkinson for a huge six over square leg, 129 for 5 off 16 overs. Mullaney hit Mahmood to the cover boundary. Hales pulled Mahmood fora 4 over fine leg, 11 off the 17th over. Mullaney hit Lamb for 6 off long off, 150 for 5 off 18 overs. Hales straight drove Wood for 4. Next ball he pulled the left armer to the boundary. A massive six over mid wicket saw Hales to his 100 off 60 balls, 16 off the over. Mullaney hit Mahmood for 6 over point. Three dot balls followed, the last one removed Mullaney (25)caught at extra cover by Croft, 172 for six. Another dot ball followed this time Hales the batsman. Notts got a bye off the last ball. Notts 173 for 6 off 20 overs Hales 101 not out.
Three including 1 leg bye came off the first over from the Radcliffe Road End bowled by Patel. Allen (2) lost his leg stump going for a leg side shot off Carter, 6 for 1. Carter conceded four off the 2nd over. Jennings reverse swept Patel for 4. Davies then hit Patel for a straight four. Two balls later, Davies hit him for successive sixes over long off, 21 off the over. Ball conceded 4 in the fourth over. Jennings ramped Fletcher for 4. Davies smashed Fletcher for successive leg side sixes, 18 off the over. Davies then hit Carter for 6 overmid wicket, as Lancashire were off to fast start. Davies (39) tried one big shot too many being caught by Clarke right on the ropes at deep backward square leg off Carter, 58 for 2. Lancashire 60 for 2 at the end of the power play.
Six came off Harrison's first over. Vilas cover drove Maloney’s first ball for 4. Vilas was leg before to Mullaney for 11, 74 for 3 off 8 overs. Jennings was well caught and bowled by Harrison diving to his right for 21 off 21 balls, 76 for 4. Croft swept Harrison for 4, seven off the over. Croft thick edged Mullaney for 4,Lancashire 88 for 4 off 10 overs.
Jones hit Patel for a mid wicket boundary, nine off the over. Rob Jones was leg before to Carter for 5, 97 for 5. Both umpires raising their fingers on his dismissal ashe was also stumped by the juggling Moores. Carter conceded four off the over.Croft went for a risky two, Lamb being run out for 2 by Budinger at deep square leg, Harrison the bowler. Croft was dropped on 20 by Patel at short third man off Harrison. Mullaney conceded 11 off the 14th over as Croft hit a boundary. Wood hit Fletcher to the mid wicket ropes, eight off the over. Croft pulled a slower ball from Ball to the square leg ropes, nine off the over. Wood hit Patel for a straight four. Lancashire 142 for 6 off 17 overs. Wood hit Fletcher for four through mid wicket, 9 off the over. The 50 partnership between Croft and Wood had come in 36 balls. Croft on the scoop was caught by Patel off Ball, 154 for seven with 8 balls remaining. Fletcher bowled the last over with 17 required, but Wood and Harley failed to find the ropes and could only scamper 9 as the home crowd of 3,900 could go home happy.
Notts had won another close game as their team confidence remains high. The major concern remains their power play bowling that has only fired in the two games against Worcester. Five days off now until the Foxes arrive at Trent Bridge on Thursday. MAG
17 Hours after the game at Derby ended in yet another tie for the Outlaws, they get back on the horse to face, possibly our strongest group opponents, Lancashire Lightning.
If the game is to be a spin-off for Samit, Carter and Harrison, then Lancashire can match them with Hartley, Parkinson and Croft. If Hales and Clarke are to out gun our visitors, then Allen and Livingstone might have something to say about that. The first encounter ended in a tie at Old Trafford last weekend but Lightning will know that they were the ones that let the point slip from their grasp.
Hopefully Sol Budinger is having catching practice all morning down at Lady Bay at this moment and today will be when he hits the big time and returns a a match winning knock.
This is the squad that secret squirrel had for last night
Sol Budinger
Alex Hales
Joe Clarke
Ben Duckett
Steven Mullaney
Samit Patel
Peter Trego
Tom Moores
Calvin Harrison
Matt Carter
Luke Fletcher
Dane Paterson
Jake Ball
Joey Evison
Zak Chappell
So what do we know from so far?
ReplyDelete1 We are not the dominant team of Finals Day last year. (Christian the difference I suggest, a more consistent hitter than some and an extra seam option - Mullaney's captaincy has been good and last night turning to Harrison rather than Fletcher for two of the last three was inspired.)
2 We are very strong but prone to match losing periods notably some of the early middle order batting and power play bowling
3 When faced with adversity (even if self-inflicted) and indeed match-losing positions we fight fight and fight again with, as someone said, incredible spirit and great focus and skill. This makes us a team to be proud of. This is a very big deal and a great thing given many of our displays since 2015 (2017 white ball and 2020 last year excepted).
4 Who is one of the key leaders of that spirit and a lychpin of most if not all of those recoveries? Samit Patel. No more knocking of that particular legend please. That rather partisan Derby commentator last night, when Samit dived to save a single at short midwicket muttered "What a cricketer". Hear hear.
5 It seems to me that we are perming two from Moores, Budinger and Trego for death or glory batting at 3 and 5. If in fact there were ever any doubt Moores saved his place for at least a few games with his vital fighting innings against Lacashire (though he was dropped at least three times which gave us that point - no heroic fightback possible in that game if Moores had gone cheaply). I have not seen Budinger before these games but he clearly has confidence (still I hope after last night) and ability but does he have a brain? So far he is one staggering shot and out. Trego was dropped after some good knocks and one failure (ignore his desperate over against the Bears) and I don't agree that he is carried in the field. I can think of one catch he would have caught/boundary he would have saved. I'm not against playing the star youngster over the old lag all else being equal but the team should not be picked for "the future" it shoudl be picked to win this competition in which we are a prime contender. Per the cliche this is "a good problem to have".
6 Fletcher seems to be a lot more effective at the end than the start.
I could go on but am boring even myself now. We have every chance of winning this and have played some marvallous cricket but we also may not qualify unless we tighten up a bit. I believe we can and will. Come on Notts.
Excellent game of 20 Over cricket today at Trent Bridge - played against a strong all round side with big hitters in the too order- very much like Notts . The max crowd of 4,000 saw a tight game and last over finish.I did notice there were very few youngsters there today( the 12 and unders)
ReplyDeleteThe lack of some top quality imported players has levelled the teams up quite a bit. You just think that anyside can beat any other side . Amazing how many turn ups there has been so far in the Comp . Notts playing like this , with apparently excellent team spirit ( well done Mullaney) have a fine chance of contesting finals day and in fact winning the trophy again.
Thoughtful posting JOEL. You make some valid points.
ReplyDeleteSol Budinger was run out in yesterdays match so he now has a run of 4 low scores on the trot since getting into the Blast team. Perhaps he is finding it hard to step up from the Second 11 level ?
Lets hope he is still full of confidence . He looks as though he has to calm down a bit and not whack his first and subsequent balls for six? Is he trying to emulate Alex Hales too early on ?
On balance this current Notts Blast team is a good one to watch and has a decent blend of youth and experience. I am quite happy with my ten quid on Notts to win this years trophy.
Near perfect match match ! Superb stuff.
ReplyDeleteWhy do Members still need to book tickets?
ReplyDeleteNot enough members are taking-up their tickets for whatever reason and so the limited capacity is not being exceeded by members.
I suspect it's greed and the desire to sell extra tickets to non-members.
I would image more members would attend if they could sit in the area of choice with people they are friends with, but are not related to.
The non-techno savvy members are being disadvantaged with the current system and these people are likely to be the least Covid risked or risky, being double inoculated. This are what my Grandad Terry says.
Connor in Bingham
I think the ticketing is a pretence at being able to play the Track and Trace game for the government. Let's see what Sajid has to say later today.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I dont find the whole cricket experience currently at Trent Bridge to be very inviting . Once you have taken your seat you feel almost uncomfortable to take a trip to the Gents and back ! Very strange that Notts cannot actually reach the 4,000 max allowed capacity .
ReplyDeleteHave some regular fans been lost forever?
Time will tell - but I fear gates of 12,000 + for Blast 20 games are a thing of the past !
PS - A pint of gassy IPA beer served in a plastic glass is now FIVE POUNDS!