Alex Hales has an extra determination to entertain the Trent Bridge crowds during the Notts Outlaws' NatWest T20 Blast campaign this summer after missing out on the majority of the team’s games last year.
The hard-hitting opener – who regularly excels in cricket’s shortest format – featured in only two matches in the competition last summer because of his England commitments.
This time, however, he is expecting to be available for most, if not all, of the Outlaws fixtures, and it’s a prospect the 28-year-old is relishing as he prepares to face the Northamptonshire Steelbacks’ attack this afternoon (2.30pm start).
“I’m really looking forward to all the rest of the T20 games and I think I’m available for the whole tournament at the moment, so that’s amazing,” said Hales.
“I think over the last 16 months I’ve only played a handful of T20s, and yet it’s probably my favourite format, so hopefully I can rediscover the form I’ve shown before.
“I didn’t do much in the two games I played for Notts last year – obviously getting a duck in the semi-final wasn’t ideal – but now it’s back in a block format it’s a great chance for us all to practice our skills consistently week in, week out.
“When I was a kid I used to open the bowling, bat at seven or eight and come in and just try and tee off – now I do that at the top of the order. It’s always been that my natural way of playing, and is suited to Twenty20.
“That early age was when I ended my bowling career – I was in too much pain and I think I read the script from an early age to be a batter and avoid the punishment!”
Hales certainly showed he is in good nick when, at the start of this month, he inspired the Outlaws to Royal London One-Day Cup final victory over Surrey with a magnificent innings of 187 not out.
Not only was it a Lord’s record List A score, it was also a best-ever knock in a limited overs match for Notts, eclipsing Michael Lumb’s brilliant 184 v Northamptonshire at Trent Bridge last summer.
“I’m really looking forward to all the rest of the T20 games and I think I’m available for the whole tournament at the moment, so that’s amazing.”
Those memories were rekindled when the team did a lap of honour with the winners’ trophy on Wednesday night at the Meadow Lane football friendly between Notts County and Nottingham Forest.
He said: “Certainly for Notts, just in terms of the context of it, with it being a Lord’s final and how much it means winning trophies for your Club, that has to rate as my best innings.
“Also, to send off Chris Read, a club legend, with a trophy in the cabinet was fantastic and, hopefully, with two more trophies to go for in the rest of the season in the T20 and the Specsavers County Championship, we can add to that.”
This week has seen the immediate Trent Bridge retirement of senior batsman Michael Lumb due to an ankle injury.
Like so many other people who have enjoyed playing with and watching the talented left-hander, that has come as a big disappointment to Hales.
“Some of the best memories I’ve ever had on a cricket field have been opening with Lumby for Notts and for England,” said Hales. “I think I’ve opened the batting with him the most out of anyone in my career for Club and country.
“I’m going to really miss walking out with him. It’s such a shame that it’s had to come to a premature end for him, but I know he’ll be remembered very fondly for some of the knocks he has played at Trent Bridge.”
Notts Outlaws squad to face Northamptonshire Steelbacks (from): Brendan Taylor, Steven Mullaney, Riki Wessels, Alex Hales, Harry Gurney, Luke Wood, Samit Patel, Tom Moores, Brett Hutton, Jake Ball, Dan Christian, Ish Sodhi, Billy Root.
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