With scores of 350 seemingly becoming the norm in one-day cricket, Nottinghamshire Bowling Coach Andy Pick believes the Outlaws' bowlers need to adapt their approach to the 50-over game.

Speaking ahead of the 50-over campaign which opens with a double-header at Welbeck Cricket Club this weekend, Pick believes bowlers must be ready to deliver slower balls and yorkers throughout the innings, not just at the death.

“Wickets are crucial early on and the openers have to use the new ball up front to their advantage,” he said.

“One-day cricket is changing and it means bowlers require more skills to bowl different balls throughout an innings and not just at the end.

“Whether that be a change in pace or yorkers, they have to be prepared to bowl it in order to keep the batsmen in check.

“Talking to bowlers, one of the biggest changes is they know they will go out of the ground at some point on any given day, it is just about how they react across the rest of the over or spell. 

“A lot of the time your figures at the end of a day aren’t a fair reflection of how you have bowled that day.

“There has been a change in bowlers’ perceptions on how well they have done in a game, as if you aim to go under five an over, you will come off disappointed on more occasions than not.”

After scoring rates soared during the ICC Cricket World Cup and the recent England V New Zealand series, Pick expects to see a change in the way the game is played at county level.

“I think the competition this year will mirror the England series but obviously county sides don’t have the same depth as international sides,” he said.

“A county side wouldn’t want to be 40-5 as their number seven won’t be as destructive as in the international game.

“Sides won’t want to commit themselves too early but I definitely think you will see a more positive approach.

“We are well set as a side with plenty of potential throughout and if we play like we have done over the past few weeks we can beat anybody.

“There is a rich cricket tradition in the north of the county and going to Welbeck with some top quality county cricket will be good for everybody involved.

“The club have made an investment in some top quality facilities and to take some cricket up there rewards that.”

Notts Outlaws squad to face Warwickshire (from): Jake Ball, Dan Christian, Luke Fletcher, Harry Gurney, Alex Hales, Brett Hutton, Michael Lumb, Steven Mullaney, Samit Patel, Chris Read (wicketkeeper), Brendan Taylor, James Taylor (captain), Riki Wessels and Sam Wood.

 

Notts Outlaws will next be in action with the return of 50-over cricket for the Royal London One Day competition throughout July and August starting with a weekend at Welbeck Cricket Club. Don't miss out on the next step of our summer of cricket and secure your seats now.