Tom Moores lauded the impact of former Outlaw Andre Russell after the pair shared a swashbuckling 94 run partnership from 32 deliveries to get the Deccan Gladiators off to a winning start in the Abu Dhabi T10 League. 

Moores, named Man of the Match, struck five sixes on his way to an unbeaten 47, having previously been on a run-a-ball five. Russell, meanwhile, cleared the rope four times as the Gladiators wrestled back momentum to finish 146/3 from their 10 overs, having been 52/3 from 4.4 against Chennai Braves.

"To bat with someone like him just gives you so much confidence and freedom to just go and try and express yourself,” Moores said.

"Dre has done that time and time again... he's the best at doing that, so to watch him and have the best seat in the house was great.

"I knew him a little bit from playing back home for Notts and he's someone who has done this time and time again. So he was just giving me tips and bits of advice here and there. To be honest, I was just trying to keep up with him."

Moores, whose T20 career strike rate is an impressive 133.55, is enjoying his third stint in the ten over format, having previously represented Punjabi Legends and Bangla Tigers.

The wicketkeeper-batter believes six hitting ability is a crucial factor when it comes to the shortest format, and that formed the basis of discussions in the middle between him and the West Indian all-rounder.

"Those extra two runs do add up. If you compare the two scores, those extra twos can change a game and be the difference,” Moores said. 

“Having someone like Dre in your team, he's naturally going to clear the ropes and all the rest of us need to just do our thing and hit as many as we can.

"[We talked about] who could hit the biggest six, which, obviously, I knew I was going to lose,” he laughed.

“We had a bit of fun, it wasn't too serious at all, which really helped me just relax and be confident. We were just having a smile and enjoying it. And that's what we talked about, to have fun, to enjoy our cricket. Every game, we play we're really lucky to be doing it."

Elsewhere, Nottinghamshire's Samit Patel blazed 21 from 13 deliveries but his Northern Warriors side were beaten by Luke Fletcher’s Bangla Tigers, who recorded their second win of the campaign. 

Danny Briggs’ final-ball six against Moores’ Gladiators, meanwhile, ensured Paul Franks’ Team Abhu Dhabi maintained their unbeaten start to the competition.