Notts Outlaws face a vital NatWest T20 Blast fixture against the Worcestershire Rapids on Friday night and Greg Smith is preparing for the challenge by practising clearing the ropes.

The 26-year-old batsman caught the eye of Mick Newell last summer whilst scoring 102 off 54 balls against the Outlaws having been promoted to open the batting by Leicestershire.

Newell made sure his side wouldn’t be on the receiving end again by signing the former England Under 19 international during the close season.

With the likes of Alex Hales, Riki Wessels and Michael Lumb fulfilling roles in the upper echelons, Smith has been allocated a role in the lower-middle-order, and he has tailored his match preparation accordingly.

“Coming in the lower middle-order, which is where I’m being used, I’ve got to be realistic and 20 off ten balls might change the match for us and be the contribution I can make from that role,” he said.

“It’s about being a good team man and doing what’s needed to get the team over the line, so I’ll spend more time preparing to clear the ropes than I will on hitting the gaps.

“Playing as a top-order batter, you get reward for orthodox cricket shots. At the end it’s about scoring ten, 12, 15 runs an over. If you can hit two of your ten balls out of the ground, you’ve probably done a good job.

So I’ve been focussing on ball striking and slightly more unorthodox and higher risk options.

“My one-day game has improved during the last few years and the experience I’ve had at the top of the order has given me that calmness,” Smith continued.

“Also, having finished off games in the past as well, it gives you that confidence to go out and get your team over the line - so that’s what I’ll be looking to do.”

Smith admits the Outlaws’ inconsistent form has left them with little margin for error during the remainder of the competition. However, he believes the business end of the competition is the perfect time to backup the recent seven wicket victory over Northamptonshire by embarking on a run of form. 

“Every game is a big game now having lost more than we would want to in the competition,” he said.

“Also, to back up the win last time out against Northamptonshire, it’s a cliche, but everyone talks about momentum in this competition. If we start stringing wins together, we’ll quickly be at the right end of the table and be hitting form at the right time.

“I don’t want to overplay that result because we expect to win games. We weren’t dancing around the balcony because we beat Northants.

"We should be winning regularly, but a winning changing room is a happy changing room, Titch and Samit played brilliantly and did what was required for us to get the two points.

“In that situation I was very happy not to be batting. Obviously I want to be making contributions and earning my spot in the team, but I'm more than happy for the boys to play like that.

“For myself and Dan Christian sitting in the sheds and watching them knock it about, it was a nice position to be in.”

Worcestershire go into the match occupying second position in the north group table and the Outlaws could join them on ten points with a victory on Friday.

Smith is expecting a tough assignment against what he believes to be a dangerous and well drilled outfit.

“I’ve played against Worcestershire a lot and, first and foremost, they are a good team,” he said.

“Steve Rhodes runs a tight ship, they get quite funky, they’re always tight in the field and they don’t give you a lot.

“We know we’ll have to nail our skills and be on top of our game on Friday night if we’re going to turn them over.”

 

Notts Outlaws NatWest T20 Blast Fixtures & Ticket Information

v Worcestershire Rapids – Friday 3 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS
v Derbyshire Falcons – Friday 10 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS

Need more information? Call our ticket office on 0844 8118711.