Notts Outlaws remain on course for a spot in the knock-out stages of the Royal London One-Day Cup after Sunday’s victory over Durham in the north east.
In a contest that mirrored Friday’s home win over Worcestershire, the Outlaws had to defend a relatively low total, doing so expertly to win by 31 runs.
Head Coach Peter Moores was understandably delighted with the character of his side.
“It’s funny how the game goes,” he said.
“We’ve defended a lowish score twice brilliantly and credit to the bowlers and the way we’ve fielded.
“I think it’s all about staying calm under pressure. One thing this side has shown is how to get over the line and it has done it again today to keep ourselves in the tournament.”
Moores was full of praise for the job done by captain Steven Mullaney, who registered a career best 124 as Notts made 255 after being put in.
“He’s done a great job. Obviously, he has batted well today and bowled well but what I really like is tactically, he’s shown his versatility.
"He doesn’t make changes for the sake of it but his field positions have been outstanding.
“He knew he had to get to the last five overs, which he did. Him and Chris Nash rebuilt nicely.
Moores added: "We expected a good finish and when he got there he gave them a bit of a battering but he had shown a calmness to get to that point.
“It was a fantastic innings and we needed every one of those runs to create the pressure to win the game.”
With a smallish squad and a couple of injuries within the camp, Moores said that he was happy that they’d got the team selection just right for this one.
“You go with what you’ve got. Without Harry (Gurney) we decided to go with a bit more depth in the batting because we thought it might do a little bit up front, which it did.
“We’ve been really impressed with Matt Carter. He’s done well in his first couple of games and backed it up today.
"He’s in good rhythm, he’s shown he’s got a good change of pace and is able to read batters and he’s done well. We’ve adapted the side to what we’ve got available.”
The north group table now finds Notts in third spot, a place and a point behind Worcestershire and Warwickshire who meet on Thursday.
Yorkshire have a game in hand but a home victory over Derbyshire will see the Outlaws into the next phase of the competition.
“Every time we play Derby it is a good game,” said Moores.
“But a day-nighter, you’d expect Trent Bridge to be absolutely rammed, which would be great.
"Credit to the marketing team at Notts and also to the fact that we play some really entertaining cricket to watch.
“The members and the supporters come out and make a big difference for us.”
*************
You can watch every ball of Notts’ scheduled home matches in 2018 - in all three formats of the game including Vitality Blast - by joining our family as a Member. Adult prices start from £38 and you can become a Member by clicking here.