Opener Chris Nash is relishing the chance to play in front of a packed house on Family Fun Day at Trent Bridge and is vowing that the Outlaws will be out to entertain.
The 35-year-old’s first Royal London One-Day Cup appearance of the season came in the fourth consecutive win of the tournament against Leicestershire on Friday, and he scored 56 from 53 balls.
The Outlaws’ next match sees them welcome Yorkshire Vikings on Sunday and Nash expressed his pride at being able to represent the Club in-front of a sold out crowd.
“It blows your mind that a ground like this can sell out for 50-over cricket,” he said.
“14,500 is ridiculous. Most Clubs don’t get that for T20 cricket.
“We’re all very proud to play at a Club that can command that attendance. Hopefully we can go out and entertain.”
This time last year the Outlaws scraped through the group stages before being humbled by Kent in the quarter-finals, as their bid to defend the crown they won in 2017 ended in bitter disappointment.
However, fast forward 12 months and It’s all change. Notts have won four from four and are sitting top of the table on eight points half way through the group stage. It's back where they belong according to the former Sussex right-hander.
“It’s a nice feeling. Last year we scrambled our way through but this feels like where we should be,” he said.
“The way we play our cricket, the squad we have and how we have been playing, we should be four from four and top of the group.
“It’s our job to keep that momentum going for the next half of the group stages.”
Having began the year in the Specsavers County Championship side at number three, Nash has had to wait his turn to face the white ball while the likes of Ben Slater, Ben Duckett and Joe Clarke have been piling on the runs.
Despite the recent influx of young batsmen threatening his place in the tea,, Nash insists the new signings are bringing out the best in him as a player.
“It’s a good challenge,” said Nash.
“I’m 35 now, 36 next month, and it would easy for me to be comfortable. Coming here was all about testing myself at a big Club and enjoying the challenge.
“Playing with the younger guys makes you feel young again. I’ve spent a long time with them and it brings the best out of me.”
Yorkshire travel to Trent Bridge on the back of a thrilling tie with Derbyshire in their last outing and with victory very much required to reignite their play-off hopes.
And despite the Outlaws sitting four points and five positions above Sunday’s opponents, Nash insists that Peter Moores' men will be taking nothing for granted in their search for a fifth straight victory.
“We know what we need to do at Trent Bridge. It’s a good wicket, the outfield is quick and if we bat first we know we want to put a big total on the board.
“They’re a good side and it’s a massive game for them to keep them in the hunt, so we know they will be coming to Trent Bridge hunting for a victory.”
The Outlaws have named a 14-man squad for the visit of the Vikings with Paul Coughlin and Ben Slater missing out through injury.
Notts Outlaws squad to face Yorkshire: Jake Ball, Matthew Carter, Zak Chappell, Joe Clarke, Ben Duckett, Luke Fletcher, Lyndon James, Jake Libby, Tom Moores, Steven Mullaney (c), Chris Nash, Samit Patel, James Pattinson, Luke Wood.
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