Head Coach Peter Moores cut a frustrated figure after the Notts Outlaws’ game at Leicestershire was abandoned as a draw following persistent rain.
The visitors were well placed to push for victory having registered 210-8 from their 20 overs – their second highest T20 score on the road.
But the Foxes were unable to get out to begin their reply, with the match called off just as the hosts were about to chase a revised target of 68 from five overs following a lengthy delay due to bad weather.
“It was a disappointing end because we batted very well and 210 was competitive,” said Moores. “It would have been quite a tough chase for them in the five overs, but we can’t control that (the weather).
“We were desperate to play because we wanted the points but Leicestershire wanted to play as well, credit to them, and it would have been a tight game.
“With them needing 68 off five overs with two overs of power play we would have backed ourselves, probably just as favourites, but just as we were about to go out again it started raining again.
“Now we have two big games coming up in the next three days in what is a very tight group.”
One huge positive that Moores could draw on was the continuing excellence of the opening partnership of Riki Wessels and Alex Hales, who both hit half centuries in a stand of 104.
Wessels top scored with 63 off 37 with five fours and five sixes, while Hales has now scored 30 not out, 44, 63, 101 and 51 in his last five innings in T20.
Moores said: “It was a brilliant opening partnership again by Riki and Alex, which got us off to a great start.
“I don’t think I’ve seen two batsmen open up so well in domestic T20 cricket so consistently – and long may it continue.
“We have said all along that as a team in this competition we are still finding our feet, which is exciting for us.
“We can get better, but I don’t think you can count Riki and Alex as part of that because they have been brilliant up front, outstanding.”
The point the Outlaws have taken from the match leaves them fifth in the North Group table with 10 points from nine games.
They are just outside the qualification places on run-rate, with Moores still not 100 per cent sure what the team will need to do to make the top four.
“You can never quite be sure how many games we will need to win, but if we win both games coming up over the weekend, which we are targeting then we will be close and one from the last three may be enough,” he said.
“A lot of sides are beating each other and we haven’t played out best cricket as yet, but hopefully we can take that into the last part of the competition.”
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