Notts Outlaws and England batsman Alex Hales is set to spearhead Notts Outlaws' chances of claiming silverware during the inaugural summer of the Natwest T20 Blast. The tall opener's unerring ability to clear boundary ropes with ease has seen him become central to the Outlaws' fortunes in recent years.
That’s easy to say in print, but one man who is in a position to offer true insight into his work is Gloucestershire captain Michael Klinger, who opened with Hales for the Adelaide Strikers in the 2013/14 Big Bash League.
“He’s excellent to bat with, he has an excellent ability to take the pressure off the batsman at the other end of the crease,” he said.
“He’s certainly got me covered height-wise! As players we complemented each other well.”
“He has the ability to be the best player in the world,” - Michael Klinger.
By his own admission, Hales found the runs he desired harder to come by than expected this winter, but silenced his critics in some style by becoming England’s first T20 centurion, scoring 116 against Sri Lanka in the World T20.
“He has the ability to be the best player in the world,” said Klinger.
“The weather shortened one game massively for us. Hales went out and scored 48 from 19 balls.
“It was a display of huge talent and ability. He can change a game on his own, and that’s important in twenty20 cricket.
“The margins for error are so small. If you’re slightly off with one stroke you’re out.
“You have to be able to play different shots well. It requires a lot of mental strength to excel in T20 cricket.”
Australian Klinger is a hugely respected figure in the game’s shorter formats, an elder member of that elusive T20 centurions club which Hales has only recently joined. As Gloucestershire’s overseas player for 2013, he was rewarded for scoring 1,000 runs in red and white ball cricket with the club’s captaincy for 2014.
After enjoying a winter in the Big Bash, he expressed his excitement for a return to twenty20 cricket with his county.
“Twenty20 cricket is great to play in. Crowds in Adelaide and Perth fill out their stadiums, it made playing for the Strikers even better,” added Klinger.
“I think the change to the English game is a good one, moving the games to Friday nights should attract bigger crowds, and different crowds to what we’ve been used to before.
“From a playing perspective it’ll be a little tougher, it’s a lot easier to get your eye in with fixtures in a block.
“It’ll be a new challenge for me, especially as captain. You have to plan a team and tactics for each format, and this year they’re all among one another.
“It’ll be a case of seeing teams who adapt to the changes excelling in the competition this year.”
Notts Outlaws NatWest T20 Blast Fixtures & Ticket Information
v Lancashire Lightning - Friday 16 May 6.30pm BUY TICKETS
TICKET OFFER Adults £10 / U16s £5 / U21s £7 / Over 65s £7
v Worcestershire Rapids – Friday 23 May 6pm BUY TICKETS
v Durham Jets – Friday 30 May 6pm BUY TICKETS
v Birmingham Bears – Friday 13 June 6pm BUY TICKETS
v Derbyshire Falcons – Friday 20 June 6pm BUY TICKETS
v Yorkshire Vikings – Saturday 28 June 2.30pm BUY TICKETS
v Leicestershire Foxes – Sunday 20 July 2.30pm BUY TICKETS
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