James Hayes feels the opportunity to string together a run of first-team games is proving beneficial for his game ahead of Notts Outlaws’ Metro Bank One Day Cup clash with rivals Derbyshire Falcons.
​Hayes is part of a 15-strong squad for the trip to Derby (Sunday 10 August, 11am), with Academy graduate Byron Hatton-Lowe included for the first time.
“I feel like I’m improving all the time, and I’m in a really good spot at the minute,” said Hayes, who claimed 4/63 in Thursday’s thrilling tie with Worcestershire Rapids at Welbeck.
“It’s really nice to have had the backing from Franksie and the coaches over the first couple of games.
“It felt like the first [game] was a bit of a settler, but since then I’ve really settled in for some good stuff with the new ball and at the end.
“To get a wicket in the first over really set the tone, and it settles you in a little bit as well, and you can then enjoy it a little bit more.”
Hayes, who opened the bowling in both of the Outlaws’ One Day Cup outings at their north Nottinghamshire outpost last week.
While a degree of responsibility comes with taking the new ball, Hayes is unfazed, drawing on his previous experiences of fulfilling that role.
“It’s not something that’s new to me; it’s what I do in the second team,” he said. “But it is really nice to step up a level and then be backed to do the same thing.
“It’s actually quite a comfortable role for me, to the point that I’d actually feel more out of place if I was given the old ball,” he explained.
While Hayes is aiming to impress in Outlaws green and gold, he was also afforded the opportunity earlier this summer to take in a first-team environment during a loan at Sussex.
“It’s been a huge goal for me [to get a run of first-team games],” he said. “Coming into my fourth season here, it’s the right time for me to step up.
“I have to take the chances I’m given, and it was great to make my debut in first-class cricket.
“To do that and then to play more regularly for Notts, it’s exactly what I wanted from this season. I only hope we can go far in this competition, and get a few more wins.”
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