With the potential of knockout qualification still to play for, Notts Outlaws will conclude the group stages of the Royal London Cup in the North Nottinghamshire setting of Welbeck Cricket Club against Surrey on 23 August.

It will be the second List A meeting between the two sides in as many years after the pair faced off at Surrey’s outground, Guildford, in 2021. 

On that occasion, the hosts edged the encounter by 33 runs (DLS), but those who weren’t already aware of Sol Budinger - who smashed 45 off 21 balls - or Dane Schadendorf - a 28-ball 44 - would find themselves well acquainted by the close of play. 

The pair of youngsters have featured throughout the 2022 campaign. 

Indeed, Budinger is the Outlaws’ top scorer this year, having struck a career-high 89 against Gloucestershire, five days after a bludgeoning 62* off 29 balls in Taunton. 

Of the 50 top run scorers in the competition, none beat - or get close to - the 22-year-old’s strike rate of 148.78. 

His opening partner, Ben Slater - who possesses a List A average a touch under 55 - has good memories of The John Fretwell Sporting Complex, having first impressed Peter Moores whilst plying his trade for Derbyshire in 2016.

His contribution of 51 - the visitors’ top score on the day - was in vain as Notts ran out winners by 65 runs, the second of five wins secured in six attempts by the Outlaws at Welbeck, a run dating back to 2015. 

“It’s strange going back to Welbeck, because I can almost trace my move to Notts back to that game, in a season where I began to establish myself in professional cricket,” Slater said. 

“There were over 600 runs in that game, which shows you how good a ground it can be for batting. 

“Hopefully I can use that to my advantage and there is certainly firepower in our squad who will enjoy playing there, whether that’s the explosive lads like Sol or the timers of the ball like Hass. 

“It’s a typical outground, a bit like Chesterfield where I grew up playing; a cracking pitch with local supporters who love their cricket and feel very close to the action. I’m excited to play in front of them.”

The 50 over format has acted as a springboard for Slater, who has since gone on to become a mainstay in red and white ball cricket for Notts. 

Welbeck has seen its fair share of mesmerising individual performances in the competition, too, with Alex Hales’ 61-ball 103 against Warwickshire in 2015 amongst the highlights, in the same fixture that a youthful Jake Ball raised eyebrows with the kind of searing pace and bounce that would see him first selected by England a year later. 

“That was the point at which I look and think my season really kicked on,” the seam bowler has since said. 

“The spell I bowled against (Ian) Bell, I felt like I was bowling well, bowling quickly, and people were coming up to me in the field and telling me that I was making an international cricketer look uncomfortable.”

That his breakthrough game came at the same club at which he and his uncle, Bruce French, honed their skills made the performance all the more special. 

“I owe Welbeck a lot,” Ball reflected. “It’s where I grew up playing cricket and learned my game; a lot of this is down to them too.”

The opponents on this occasion, Surrey, have handed several opportunities to younger members of their playing squad throughout the course of the Royal London Cup.

Notts, meanwhile, have fused homegrown products, including the likes of England age-group international Fateh Singh, with senior international talent in captain Haseeb Hameed and Dane Paterson.

It is a match up mirroring the final of 2017, which the Outlaws won by four wickets with 13 balls remaining at Lord’s.

The hosts of this fixture do, of course, have the added incentive of a home final, should they secure passage through to the tournament's ultimate end.

You can purchase tickets for the clash at Welbeck here…

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The Royal London Cup Final

The timeless pomp, ceremony and tradition of county cricket's historic 50-over final. 18 First-Class counties go head-to-head in this prestigious competition, aiming to emerge with the spoils at our historic venue. Secure your seats here...