View on the opposition - Notts Outlaws
Sat 7 Jul 2018
In the third of a series of views on the opposition from the ECB Reporters Network, we gain some insight on Notts Outlaws:
T20 record: Defending champions after winning the tournament in 2017, runners-up in 2005 and beaten semi-finalists in 2010 and 2016. On nine occasions they have advanced to the knockout stages of the competition.
Last season: Won the North Group, then defeated Somerset in the quarters, Hampshire in the semis and Birmingham Bears in the final.
Captain: Dan Christian returns to Trent Bridge for the fourth consecutive season and resumes as captain after lifting the trophy last year – a simple act that went wrong and resulted in the sharp edges of the silverware cutting his eyebrow.
Overseas Players: Christian and New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi reunite at Trent Bridge to try and emulate last year’s outstanding success.
Big hitter: Riki Wessels. Now aged 32, Wessels was the Outlaws’ leading run-scorer in their 2017 success. He blasted 559 runs at an average of 43.00 and had the honour of becoming the first from his county to score a T20 century, making 110 against Derbyshire. One of the cleanest hitters in the game, he usually goes blow-for-blow with his regular opening partner, Alex Hales, to get the side away to a rip-roaring start during the powerplay overs.
Key bowler: Harry Gurney. A much better bowler now than when he represented his country in T20 Internationals back in 2014, the 31-year old played a key role in the Outlaws’ success last season. He took a total of 21 wickets during the competition and was a worthy contender for the man of the match award in the final, taking four for 17 to down the Birmingham Bears. Has all the variations required of a modern death-bowler, all now delivered from a significantly reduced run-up.
Wild card: Tom Moores. The 21-year old wicketkeeper–batsman already has a winner’s medal in his pocket after coming into the side for last season’s successful campaign. His athletic ability with the gloves on has already brought high praise from unusual sources (Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is a fan) but his destructive batting may take him to the very top of the tree. Following in the footsteps of Chris Read was never going to be easy but his young successor has already made a huge impression.
* The best value way to watch the Foxes in Vitality Blast is through advance tickets. Foxes v Outlaws tickets cost £16 adults, £12 concessions and £1 under 16s before 11.59pm on Saturday when purchasing online HERE
