Following a washed-out encounter against Yorkshire Vikings, Sol Budinger has extolled the virtues of an extended run in the first team during Notts Outlaws’ Royal London Cup campaign this season.
“We’re halfway through in this competition now, and I’ve learned so much and gained a lot of experience,” said Budinger, who hit his maiden List A fifty in York.
“It’s obviously a brilliant feeling to get that,” commented Budinger when asked about his new career-best innings in which he totalled 71, hitting seven fours and four sixes.
Ever the perfectionist, however, he then went on to add “I probably should have got more runs, and I was really disappointed to get out when I was hoping to kick on for the team.
“It was great to get a start today, though, and ultimately it was just a shame that the rain did come.”
Get a start he certainly did, as alongside Ben Slater, Budinger added 146 for the first wicket, going unbeaten for over 20 overs in a stand that ultimately made up more than three-quarters of the Outlaws’ rain-affected total.
“I love opening with Slats,” smiled Budinger. “We complement each other really well.
“Yorkshire bowled pretty well in the first few overs, and the ball was moving a bit. It was our job to just ride that wave and come out the other side.”
Under cloud cover, the hosts were able to send down 24 balls before the first rain break of the day, with Budinger and Slater equal to that particular task.
Play was ultimately suspended for almost an hour and a half, and Budinger spoke of how the punctuated nature of such a game can play havoc with a batsman’s mental concentration.
“Mooresy calls it “rain brain” where you can go a bit fuzzy during the breaks,” he explained. “We do talk about how to combat those sorts of things during the delays, and how you have to try and stay switched on.”
“I’m really happy we could do that today though, and now I’m really looking forward to the next couple of games.”