Stuart Broad insists Notts Outlaws are ‘in it to win it’ after declaring himself fit for tomorrow’s Royal London One-Day Cup final against Surrey at Lord’s.
The 31-year-old paceman was a doubt for the showpiece occasion with a sore heel, having played in every other match for the Club in this year’s 50-over competition.
However, he successfully came through a fitness test with flying colours during team training today (Friday) at The Home of Cricket’s Nursery Ground and is now targeting a repeat of 2013, when the Outlaws beat Glamorgan in the Yorkshire Bank 40 final.
“We haven’t got to the final just to turn up and enjoy the occasion. Now we’ve got here, we want to win,” said Broad.
“That’s certainly the message that Peter Moores has given to us. Yes, it’s a special occasion for the county to come down and enjoy the day out, and we know the whole club is behind us, but as players we are very focussed on the job in hand.
“The heel is good. I bowled five or six overs in the nets. I was due to have a fitness test yesterday, but the bad weather curtailed not only our Championship game, but that test as well.
“These are big occasions and what you train for. I’ve been working hard all season for three of the biggest weeks of the season with a Lord’s final, the Lord’s Test match and then my home Test match, so I’m very pleased to have come through.”
Tomorrow will see the final game of James Pattinson’s hugely successful spell playing for Nottinghamshire before his contract is scheduled to come to an end and he is to return to Australia.
Broad has been hugely impressed with the impact of the brother of former Trent Bridge seamer Darren, who has been a revelation for Peter Moores’ men.
“It’s been special to have someone like Jimmy with us at Notts. (Bowling Coach) Andy Pick described it really well when he said that it reminded him of cricket in the 80s where every team had a gun overseas bowler that the Members loved to see come on to bowl," he said.
“These are big occasions and what you train for." Stuart Broad
“You hear the big shouts when Jimmy comes on, and the pace he bowls with is spectacular.
“He’s been really enjoyable to play with, he’s fit into the group really well and I think he really feels like a Notts Outlaw, which is important. I’m sure he’ll be desperate to finish his stay here with us with a trophy.”
Broad is hopeful that Notts can carry off the Royal London One-Day Cup to end Chris Read’s List A career in perfect style.
“Coming into his final year, it’s great for him to have an opportunity to end by winning a trophy,” he said.
“Chris will be desperate to put in a performance in his final One Day match here, and everyone else on the Notts team is the same.”
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