When you look at Luke Fletcher's past history of playing at Welbeck, it's no surprise he is relishing a return with the Notts Outlaws for this weekend’s 50-over Royal London One-Day Cup fixture against Northamptonshire Steelbacks.
The Bulwell Bomber has encountered plenty of success at the John Fretwell Complex in sporadic appearances there as his career has unfolded.
In club cricket, the now 29-year-old played helped inspire Papplewick and Linby to victory against a Welbeck side containing fellow Notts fast bowler Jake Ball, scoring 60 and claiming figures of 3-21.
In 2013, playing for Rolls Royce, he hit 73 and took 4-21 in another Nottinghamshire Premier League match against Welbeck.
“You play at Welbeck knowing you will always get a warm welcome from the club and the crowd.”
And since senior 50-over cricket has been regularly played at the Sookholme Road venue by the Outlaws, Fletcher has registered figures of 1-36 (against Warwickshire in 2015), 2-52 (against Derbyshire in 2016) and 1-17 (against Leicestershire in 2017).
The 29-year-old hopes to add to his excellent record in the north of the county on Sunday (11am start), when Notts play their first home game in defence of the trophy they won at Lord’s last July.
“It’s somewhere I’ve played quite a bit of cricket and I’ve always enjoyed it,” said Fletcher. “You play there knowing you will always get a warm welcome from the club and the crowd.
“It’s not a place I remember straight away as somewhere I've got a stack of wickets, but when I think about it, I have had some success there.
“I remember Broady (Stuart Broad) and Patto (James Pattinson) bowling well there last year when we beat Leicestershire.
“We want to get our home games off to a good start and at the same time give those people who come out to watch us up there a day to enjoy and something to shout about.”
Fletcher loves to have Trent Bridge as his headquarters but also values taking the game to other parts of his home county.
Notts will look to protect an unbeaten record against the Steelbacks, having won their three previous completed fixtures at Welbeck.
The tall seamer goes into the game having taken 1-50 in the Outlaws' victory at Lancashire on Thursday night, when the team successfully defended their first innings score of 318 at Emirates Old Trafford.
“What’s good about the ground is that the wicket is good for both batsman and bowlers if you execute your skills well.”
He added: “What’s good about the ground is that the wicket is good for both batsman and bowlers if you execute your skills well.
“It’s good to take cricket to other parts of the county, not just in Nottingham, and I’m sure we will get some good support as we usually do.”
Tickets for the game at Welbeck are priced at £12 for adults, £9 for seniors and under-21s and £5 for juniors. Entry is free for Members.
Tickets can be purchased on the day, but via cash only. Car parking is £2 for Members and £5 for others.
Notts Outlaws squad to face Northamptonshire Steelbacks: Jake Libby, Chris Nash, Steven Mullaney (c), Riki Wessels, Harry Gurney, Matt Milnes, Luke Fletcher, Samit Patel, Tom Moores, Ross Taylor, Jake Ball, Will Fraine, Billy Root, Jack Blatherwick.
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