As the media release announcing the retirement of Harry Gurney was being finalised, Mick Newell stopped the press and asked for an amend.
The Director of Cricket wished to add ‘match winning’ to his own quote.
When it comes to being at the front and centre of victory inducing performances for the Green and Golds, Harry has it down to a fine art.
Trivialise > remove the pressure > execute skills.
It’s a three-part tactic that’s served the left-arm seamer well down the years, never more so than on the occasions recalled below.
This is Harry Gurney’s famous five.
Rising from the canvas to deliver a knockout blow
It’s Friday 6 June 2014 and Notts Outlaws’ preparations to face Derbyshire Falcons have been thrown into last minute turmoil.
Captain James Taylor is pacing up and down, the rule book regarding a post-toss replacement is being consulted, and Harry Gurney is in a heap on the Derby turf.
The Outlaws’ left-armer has injured himself in the warm up. Judging by the ensuing chaos, he’s more likely to be departing in an ambulance than opening the bowling.
Hang on a minute. He’s up. He’s okay. Sighs of relief all round.
Taylor’s grimace of concern turns into a wry smile and Gurney takes the new ball.
It’s a big night for Derbyshire. Their first sold out T20 fixture. It can be something of an intimidating haunt for those of a Nottinghamshire persuasion and, as the players take to the field in glorious late spring sunshine, the atmosphere is rocking, but not for very long.
Gurney, his recovery so miraculous that it could make firm believers of us all, deceives Stephen Moore with the first ball of the contest, snaffles the return catch, completes a maiden and suddenly you can hear a pin drop.
By the time the hosts lose their second wicket 21 balls in, their score has limped to 15 without a single boundary.
Gurney’s eventual figures were 2-24 and Derbyshire’s below par 164-7 was child’s play for Alex Hales.
Notts won by five wickets with 19 deliveries remaining.
‘Balls of steel’ to disrupt Derbyshire at the death
Seldom in the history of cricket can figures of 0-47 have felt quite so glorious.
It’s another record crowd, this time at Trent Bridge where 13,582 souls have packed in to watch the host’s endeavour to keep their quarter-final chances alive with victory over their East Midlands rivals.
The Outlaws are defending 172 and Derbyshire, seemingly cruising prior to a timely two wicket intervention from Jake Ball, are left needing 11 from the final over.
With Wayne Madsen at the crease and well set, the Falcons are firm favourites.
But neither their talisman or Billy Godleman have any answer to Gurney’s box of tricks. They can’t get him away and are left needing five from the final delivery.
How are your nerves, Harry?
He nails his yorker and, while pandemonium around him ensues, celebrates with a shrug of the shoulders and an almost apologetic wander towards the pavilion.
Steven Mullaney coined the phrase ‘balls of steel’ during the aftermath. Harry’s reputation as a death bowler supreme was upon him.
The finest hour
Taking 7-36 over the course of two matches at a triumphant 2017 Finals Day will surely rank as Harry’s finest day at the office.
Three wickets for no runs in the 18th over put paid to Hampshire’s pursuit of 170 for a semi-final win, but the best was yet to come.
Defending 191 to claim the crown, the former England international’s standout figures of 4-17 ripped the engine room from the Bears’ middle order and ensured that they never stood a chance.
You’re a wizard Harry
Come the conclusion of the group stage in 2018, Notts are under pressure for their quarter-final berth once again.
At 144-4 with 3.4 overs remaining, Yorkshire are well placed for a late assault at Headingley.
Harry’s elusive trickery, however, restricts them to just 19 runs from the final 20 deliveries.
Having opened and ended the innings with ball in hand, he concludes with scarcely fathomable figures of 2-16 from four overs.
Post-match, Dan Christian calls his friend and teammate ‘the best death bowler in the world’, and assignments overseas soon beckon.
Destroying Derbyshire as standard
It’s Friday night at Derby once again and the visitors have 198 runs on the board.
However, in fast scoring conditions, and with both rain and verbal abuse showering upon them in equal measure, Dan Christian’s side will need to be at their resourceful best.
At 134-3 at the 15.4 over mark, and with Luis Reece and Leus du Plooy both well set, the hosts are scenting a scalp.
Harry returns to the attack, deals with the set batsmen caught behind and bowled respectively and, before you know it, he’s gone on to complete a career best five-wicket haul and a run out for good measure.
The noisy neighbours had been clearing their throats for a boisterous singsong. Christian turned to his statesman, who briskly restored order. Notts were victorious by 27 runs.