Hard-hitting trio Alex Hales, Ali Brown and Samit Patel explain how they will prepare for Friends Provident t20 Finals Day at The Rose Bowl.
Three days to go until we face Somerset - how are you feeling ahead of Finals Day?
ALEX: Good, I’m feeling in great shape.
SAMIT: The team is looking in great shape and personally I’m feeling good.
ALI: I’m feeling very positive. The atmosphere in the dressing room is really good and we feel as though we are carrying some good momentum going into the weekend.
Room Buddies this weekend - has anything been arranged yet and is there anyone your looking to avoid?
ALI: I don’t really mind who I room with. There’s nobody I’m looking to avoid.
ALEX: Not sure yet but I think I might be with Ali Brown. Samit snores and Paul Franks talks in his sleep so as long as I avoid those two!
SAMIT: I want to avoid Paul Franks because of the sleep talking..
From a batting perspective, who are the players to watch amongst the competing teams?
ALEX: Somerset offer a very competitive batting line up. The likes of Trescothick, Kieswetter and Trego are all very dangerous on their day.
SAMIT: Hussey and Trescothick are the danger men for me.
"If we get the basics right, it could be a great day for us." - Samit Patel
Have you noticed any strange T20 superstitions in the dressing room this year?
ALEX: I always put my left pad on before my right but I do that before any game. Actually, my boxers! I Have already selected my boxers for finals day, I will have my pair of ‘only fools and horses’ boxers on come Saturday.
Ali, you’ve been described as a mad man with the bat at times. How do you maintain that trademark cool exterior when you have such an aggressive batting style?
ALI: Mad Man! (LAUGHS) I don’t believe I’ve been particularly exciting to watch this season especially in relation to some of the other guy’s in the side. I’m really enjoying my cricket right now and I hope I can bring something to the side this weekend.
There’s going to be a sell-out crowd at the Rose Bowl on Saturday and a lot of pressure on all four teams. What are your expectations for the day?
ALEX: I’ve got some family members heading down there for the day so I’m really excited about playing in front of them on such a big occasion.
SAMIT: Yeah it’s going to be great, I’m really looking forward to it. We have a lot of depth in the squad with Hussey, Nannes and the England lads all available. If we get the basics right, it could be a great day for us.
ALI: Yeah, there should be a big crowd down there, bigger than we have experienced this season at Trent Bridge. With the Notts fans behind us we will be given a huge boost.
Is there anything you will be doing before the game to get yourself focused and in the zone?
SAMIT: The only thing I like to do is stand at the wicket on my own before the start of play.
ALEX: Im pretty relaxed and chilled out before games. Some players like to do a few throw downs and stuff before but I’m not like that. I will probably be sat on my own and have my ipod on while I’m on the bus traveling from the hotel to the ground. I don’t do anything special.
Notts Outlaws face Somerset Sabres in the semi-final of the Friends Provident t20 at 3pm on Saturday at The Rose Bowl. Live coverage will be provided by Sky Sports and BBC Radio Nottingham.