Peter Moores has confirmed that England trio Alex Hales, Stuart Broad and Jake Ball have been given the green light to play for the Notts Outlaws in the Royal London One-Day Cup Final at Lord’s.
The Club will take on Surrey in the showpiece 50-over final on 1 July as they bid to win their first senior competition since beating Glamorgan in the capital in 2013.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Australian quick bowler James Pattinson would be staying on to play against the Brown Caps before returning home.
Now Head Coach Moores’ squad will also be strengthened by the availability of Hales, Broad and Ball after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has given them permission to play.
“Those availabilities mean, as it stands, we will have a full squad to pick from, similar to the semi-final,” he said.
“I think the ECB have got it right with the release of the England players where they can. When you get down to the big games of tournaments, where they are high profile, it’s really important that the big players remain available.
“Of course, we understand if there is a Test or T20 series on that people can’t always play, but, when they can, I think it adds a lot to the occasion.
“We saw in the semi-final round that all the England players who were available added something in the games they played.”
"When big occasions come along, and you get the opportunity, you want to take it and make sure you really enjoy the day.” Head Coach Peter Moores
Moores insists all three players will be desperate to play on one of the biggest stages in domestic cricket.
They have certainly played their part in the Outlaws’ progression to the final, with Hales having scored 247 runs at 41.16 in six games, Broad having taken 10 wickets in 10 appearances and Ball five victims in six matches.
Moores added: “I know they are very excited. When you’re playing with your Club, you’re playing with your mates and for the supporters, the management, the committee, the staff, wives and girlfriends, family and friends… all sorts of people.
“It makes it a really good occasion for both Clubs, not just for us, and it promises to be a really good game of cricket.
“Bally has come through the Notts system and had some ups and downs. He’s had a fantastic 18 months, but much like a lot of players who’ve got to that level, he’s had some disappointments as well.
“So when big occasions come along, and you get the opportunity, you want to take it and make sure you really enjoy the day.”
Read more about how to secure your tickets for Lord’s.
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Tom Moores hopes to continue his comeback from a spell on the sidelines by playing in a second XI game against Lancashire at Trent College, Worksop on Thursday.
The wicket-keeper has been out of action for two-and-a-half weeks after sustaining a toe injury.
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