Lyndon James feels his recent move to number three in the Notts side suits his skills, as the Outlaws prepare for their Royal London Cup quarter-final at Lancashire.

Notts face the Red Rose County in Blackpool on Friday 26 August (11am), with a 14-man party travelling North.

James has been elevated up the Outlaws’ order in their last two 50-over innings, making 54 from 62 deliveries as knockout-stage qualification was secured with a win over Surrey at Welbeck CC.

It is a role which the Academy graduate took to with relish.

“Batting further up the order is something I’ve always wanted to do in white-ball cricket – especially in 50-over cricket, where you get time to play yourself in and cash in later on,” he said.

“I feel like I’ve got the shots now to score at a decent rate early on, and then try to accelerate if the game demands it.

“On Tuesday [in the win over Surrey] I just wanted to bat properly. Our run-rate was already pretty healthy, so we thought if results went our way then we’d be well placed to go through.

“Me and Slats [Ben Slater, who made an unbeaten 82] just thought ‘let’s try and make sure we’re there at the end’.

“I didn’t quite get there myself, but we built the partnership that took us towards the line.”

James and Slater’s half-centuries came after Toby Pettman took his first senior wickets for his county, recording figures of 4/44 as the visitors were bundled out inside 40 overs.

According to his teammate, it was a performance which the rangy seamer’s efforts fully deserved.

“When we first saw Toby as a squad, we were obviously struck by his height, and we were intrigued to see what he’d be like,” said James.

“We established pretty quickly that his ‘best ball’ is probably the best ball of all the bowlers in the club.

“There was clearly something there, and the work he’s done with Shiney [Assistant Coach Kevin Shine] is really paying dividends.

“If you look at his action now, and compare it to how it was when he joined us, it’s completely different. He’s stronger, fitter, and he’s bowling faster, but he’s still hitting those good areas.”

Pettman is one of a tranche of budding Outlaws to have seized their opportunities in recent weeks, with Fateh Singh, James Hayes, Matthew Montgomery and Sol Budinger amongst those to have made crucial contributions.

As a relatively recent graduate to the senior side himself, James has looked on with pride at the responsibility taken by some of the fresher faces in the dressing room.

“It’s been refreshing to see the other lads playing, and it reinforces the feeling that we have a ‘whole squad’ dynamic,” he said.

“It’s not just about the lads in the starting XI, or those in the red-ball team, we’re all a part of it.

“What’s been really impressive is that lads who might not have played as much cricket are putting their hands up and contributing. They’re showing they can do it on the first-team stage, and in games like the last couple we’ve played, which have effectively been knockout games considering our position in the group.”

With two successive wins secured, Notts return to Stanley Park for a second time this summer, after visiting for a Vitality Blast group-stage fixture in June.

James may not have featured on that occasion, but he feels prepared for the unique challenge which awaits.

“Blackpool can be an interesting place to play – it’s small, the supporters are on top of you, and they certainly let you know they’re from Lancashire!” he said.

“But playing in those atmospheres is what it’s all about. We’ve just got to embrace it and enjoy it, and hopefully we’ll come out on top.”

*******

The Royal London Cup Final

The timeless pomp, ceremony and tradition of county cricket's historic 50-over final. 18 First-Class counties go head-to-head in this prestigious competition, aiming to emerge with the spoils at our historic venue. Secure your seats here...