For Dane Schadendorf, alleviating pressure is crucial. 

Whether it be on himself or on the team, doing so is the 21-year-old’s key to success. 

It could be what brings Notts Outlaws a third win from three playable games in the Metro Bank One Day Cup this season, as they prepare to play Hampshire at the John Fretwell Centre (Friday 11 August, 11am start).

When it comes to expectations, Schadendorf has adopted a new mindset following a leaner 2022 One Day Cup return than he’d have liked - despite finishing as the top runscorer in the Second XI Championship. 

“Last year, I put too much pressure on myself and that's why I didn't I didn't do as well as I wanted to,” he said, matter of factly. 

“I really want to do well this year, but it's more a case of letting it happen instead of trying to force it. That is kind of the way I've been going about it all season. I try to take the pressure off myself knowing that I've done the work, and the cricket should take care of itself as a result.

“Once you get that confidence, it makes it easier when you are out there. You don’t stress as much.”

A desire to banish any angst helped Schadendorf see Notts over the line in their most recent four-wicket win against Leicestershire Foxes. 

The wicketkeeper-batter struck four boundaries in six balls to steer his side to victory after three wickets in eight overs had given the hosts a sniff at Grace Road. 

That aggressive approach is the marker of how the Outlaws intend to play, Schadendorf says, with a depth of talent which enables such an approach. 

“We can certainly look to be more aggressive, because we bat all the way down to... well, Tom Loten opens in the twos, and he has been at 10, so we can afford to be more aggressive all the way through if the opportunities are there," he said.

“Personally, it affected me last year moving around the order. That wasn't anyone's fault but my own; I should have been clear with the coaches about what I needed to do and where I felt comfortable. 

“But this year, Having that solid spot at seven, I know what I'm doing every game so that definitely makes it easier.”

And the gloveman is looking forward to playing at Welbeck, too, a ground which has become a favourable home-from-home for Notts in List A cricket, with six wins from the seven games played to a conclusion.

“We have won there a lot in the past,” he said. 

“We beat Leicestershire there quite convincingly last year and qualified for the quarter-final by beating Surrey, so they're good memories.

“It’s a case of getting used to the pitch - it is not going to be flat, and you’ll have to work hard for runs, but with the bowling attack we’ve got at the moment, that could work in our favour.

“Not many, if any, of the Hampshire guys will have played there, so that is a small thing we can look to take advantage of.”

*******