From combining to produce one of the moments of the 2015 Investec Ashes at Trent Bridge, to facing off for their respective club sides in the NatWest T20 Blast, Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes will be two of the star names on show on Friday night.
Broad’s 8-15 on the first morning of the fourth Test included a sublime one-handed diving catch from Stokes in the slips, an effort which brought about the infamous ‘Oh My Broad’ celebration.
Now, with a Test Series looming against Pakistan, and with Ben Stokes continuing his recovery from injury, the pair will turn out for their respective county sides in the shortest format.
Whilst both men have made their name in the Test arena, Broad is also one of four Outlaws past and present who were victorious in the ICC World Twenty20 Final in 2010.
Broad has, since the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, largely lost his place in England’s white ball sides, but recently stated his desire to be part of the upcoming major tournaments in the UK.
His last T20 outing for the Outlaws came at home against the Leicestershire Foxes, where his four overs cost 20 runs and brought one wicket.
His economy rate across his career stands at just over seven, with the 92 wickets from 75 games coming at an average of 20.46.
The 30-year-old’s ability to mix up yorkers, bouncers and slower balls will be crucial to stifling the big-hitting ability of Stokes.
The Durham all-rounder, meanwhile, will likely only have his batting and fielding with which to make his mark on the encounter, as he has not yet bowled in a competitive fixture since his comeback from the knee injury he sustained during the recent series against Sri Lanka.
He has played eight games less that Broad in T20s, taking 30 wickets and smashing 1,136 runs to date.
Whilst his economy (8.62) and average (35.16) are a lot higher than Broad’s with the ball, it’s with the bat where Stokes really makes his mark.
The left-hander’s runs have come at a strike rate of over 130 with the highest of his four 50 plus scores being 77.
The pair of Ashes winners will go head-to-head tomorrow as the sides placed fourth and sixth in the North Group try to take another step towards the quarter-finals.
Notts Outlaws NatWest T20 Blast Fixtures & Ticket Information
Vs. Durham Jets – Friday 1 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS
Vs. Worcestershire Rapids – Saturday 9 July 2.30pm BUY TICKETS
Vs. Yorkshire Vikings – Friday 15 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS
Vs. Leicestershire Foxes – Friday 29 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS
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