Notts Outlaws’ Peter Moores says he is ‘absolutely delighted’ to have won his first domestic one-day final at Lord’s.
The Club's Head Coach oversaw a four-wicket victory over Surrey in the Royal London One-Day Cup at the Home of Cricket yesterday (Saturday) to spark memorable scenes of celebration.
The Brown Caps batted first and scored 297-9, thanks in large part to 144 not out from Mark Stoneman, as Samit Patel took 3-51 and Steven Mullaney 2-50.
Notts overhauled that total with a superb 187 not out from Alex Hales, supported by 58 from skipper Chris Read, to win with 2.1 overs to spare.
“It feels pretty darn good to have won - it was a brilliant performance by the lads, because it’s been a team thing right the way through,” said Moores.
“In each game in this competition, someone has managed to produce something. Yesterday, we had an unbelievable performance from Alex Hales, but it was also a great effort by the bowlers to drag it back after tough start.
“Alex (Hales) was terrific and his partnership with Chris Read was one of those that was just written in the stars.”
“The bowlers were totally committed and we managed to keep them under 300, which meant we knew we had a great chance if we didn’t get bowled out because we have such good strikers of the ball when batting.
“Jimmy Pattinson was outstanding, Stuart Broad was outstanding and then we had that lovely combination of Samit Patel and Steven Mullaney, so I’m really chuffed for everyone.”
Moores, who lost at Lord's as a player with Sussex in 1993, had no doubt as to the main cricketing highlights of the day, despite England hopeful Stoneman playing a fine hand during the Surrey innings.
He added: “You’d do well to get beyond the bloke (Hales) who got two thirds of our runs. What a knock – it’s the best I think I’ve ever seen in a one-day game.
“Alex was terrific and his partnership with Chris Read was one of those that was just written in the stars with it being Chris’ last final at Lord’s.
“It was everything you want to see from Chris. He was calm, composed and ever the professional to make sure it was a great game for us and him.”
Moores was quick to pay tribute to the travelling Outlaws support that numbered more than 3,500.
“The fans were absolutely fantastic – I hope someone has got a photo of them cheering us at the end on our lap of honour because they were just brilliant!” he said.
“They were loud and with us all the way, even in the periods where we weren’t on top.”
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