Peter Moores was so taken aback by his first visit to Lord’s as a fresh-faced teenager that while he remembers the occasion itself vividly, he struggles to remember the score.
The Notts Outlaws Coach was just 18 when he first set foot on the playing surface at the Home of Cricket for a National Association of Young Cricketers match against the Armed Forces, a special moment in any young player’s career.
“It was a one-day game and I kept wicket,” said Moores. “That would be my first real memory of this place that you’d heard all about as a kid.
“I’m from the North West and suddenly you’re down there in London having never been anywhere like that before, and you’re suddenly playing on the hallowed turf.
“Did we win? I think so, but I’m not 100 per cent sure. I’m saying yes, but it was a long time ago - we’re talking 36 years ago! I think I got 40-odds runs too.”
Those formative Lord’s memories have made a lasting impression and been further enhanced during his playing career with Sussex and Worcestershire, as well as coaching stints with the south coast county, England, Lancashire and now, of course, Nottinghamshire.
But it is not a landmark, team achievement or statistic that sums up Lord’s for Moores. Instead, the connection is a more emotional and personal for him.
He said: “For me, it’s that moment when all the warm-ups are done and you get a coffee, you sit on the balcony and wait for that first ball. There’s a hum that goes around the ground.
“The five minutes from when the umpires walk out until the game starts, there’s that expectancy of what’s going to happen and I think it’s a lovely moment. The first ball comes down and both sides are fully charged ready to go and the day’s going to unfold. It’s something I really enjoy.
“The other thing about it is they continually improve things.
"The dressing rooms have still got those notice boards on with people who have got hundreds, meaning that you can’t help casting your mind back to each era. You see the names of people that were your heroes, so it’s a great place.”
It was all change at Trent Bridge ahead of the start of the 2017 as Moores took over direct control of first team affairs from long-serving Director of Cricket Mick Newell, allowing the latter to take a more holistic view of the Club, while still providing valuable input and support.
The transition has happened relatively seamlessly, with the Club currently top of the Specsavers County Championship Division Two table, along with reaching tomorrow’s showpiece Royal London One-Day Cup final against Surrey.
Moores says he is hugely grateful for the backing he has had from all concerned - Members and supporters included - since he took charge, and is hopeful of repaying them with some silverware, as well as promotion back to Division One.
“It’s been a great experience so far - it’s a great club,” he added. “The Members are fantastic because they’ll talk to you as you have a wander round, and I like that. You get some good views from them about what they want.
“They want players to go out and understand they’re playing for a great Club. There’s been great players before them and there’s a responsibility to give it everything you’ve got.
“You can’t always guarantee a great performance because sport isn’t like that - at times it doesn’t work out - but the commitment side of it you can say that as a group of players and coaches we should know our commitment to the Club and to each other.”
With Jake Ball ruled out with a knee injury, Stuart Broad is fit after recovering from a bruised heel, meaning the Outlaws go into the Final with just one of their strong pace attack unfit.
But Moores insists the team and squad are well equipped to cope as they aim to repeat their Lord’s success of 2013, when they beat Glamorgan in the YB40 Final.
He said: “It’s a real shame that Bally’s not going to get there, so we’re disappointed. He’s a terrific player with great commitment to the club and he’s got his feet on the ground.
"There are going to be memories created, let’s just hope they’re the ones we want.” Head Coach Peter Moores
“He’s had a tremendous 18 months, so it’s a real shame for him, and we’ll be missing a quality cricketer, but there will be another opportunity for someone else. We’ve got other players who have also put a lot in.
“We know we’ve got good players throughout the side so what’s been nice about the season is that we’ve seen different people stand up at different times. To me, that has been one of the most pleasing parts of the season.
“On Saturday, your big players are used to playing in these types of games and they invariably stand up and put a performance in, but there’ll be some key pressure moments that other players will be in and if we win those moments we’ve got a great chance.”
While respecting opponents Surrey, Moores is adamant Notts will focus on what they can control – their own game.
“Both sides have taken a bit of time to get into the games in the zonal part of the competition, but have played really well in the quarters and semi-final, so we go into the final in good form, with players in good form, which bodes well for a good final,” said Moores.
“We won’t worry too much about what they’re doing. Of course, we’ll pay respect to the fact they’ve got some very good players, and we’ll have a look at their players in advance, but we’ve spent a lot of time this year concentrating on how we’re going about our cricket, so that will be our main am.
“One of the things about going to Lord’s is that we have an opportunity to create memories for ourselves, the members and people all around.
"There are going to be memories created, let’s just hope they’re the ones we want.”
Notts Outlaws squad to face Surrey (from): Brendan Taylor, James Pattinson, Steven Mullaney, Chris Read, Stuart Broad, Riki Wessels, Alex Hales, Harry Gurney, Luke Wood, Luke Fletcher, Samit Patel, Greg Smith, Michael Lumb and Billy Root.
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