As the county cricket season rumbles along, and the t20 fixtures about to begin, it is a crucial time for many teams as they look to fulfill their early season goals. For Notts it is no different and both Andre Adams and Harry Gurney are keen to get results and continue their hunt for silverware.
With the season nearly at its halfway point, how important is this period of the season to pick results up and push on?
Andre Adams: Around this time last year we started to fade away in the Championship and we don’t want repeat that. We are in fifth place in the league with a game in hand and that could be crucial in catching up with the top teams. When we reached the Warwickshire game last year there was a lot riding on it and the same scenario could be upon us when we face the top teams this time around. It is a sink or swim time and that is why these upcoming games will be vital.
Harry Gurney: In the championship we are reaching a very crucial stage and want to win our game in hand. We need to push on for other results in the second half of the season. The t20 is coming up soon and that offers us a fresh competition to focus on. Our form in the YB40 shows we have every chance of getting out the group in both limited-overs formats. Then you have the lottery of the knockout stages.
Looking forward to Friday against Sussex how essential is it to keep that unbeaten form going and to not only push to get through the group but also secure a home semi-final?
AA: If you look at our record then home knockout stages aren’t very good for us. I think staying unbeaten is a good feeling but it won’t count for anything when you get there and play that match on the day. It will all be about how we play in that situation. We’ve lost two home quarters in the t20 and it’s about pushing on from there and learning from them in order to push ourselves forward.
HG: The unbeaten record is nice and we do want a home semi-final. However, if we get that it’s a one off game and we have to turn up and produce the goods as form will count for little.
With fixtures coming thick and fast how important is it to rotate the squad and keep everyone fresh ahead of the t20 campaign?
AA: Despite back to back games, five days of cricket is not that much to put your body through. You only have a maximum of two or three days of bowling in a four-day game, the pressure is more mental than anything else. Your job is to play cricket and if you shouldn’t get tired of doing your job.
HG: With the three one-dayers this week, Mick has rotated the bowling a little bit. Bally is probably going to end up playing two out of three, I might play two out the three and Fletch might do the same. There is a slight element of rotation but when it comes to the Championship on Saturday Mick will want to put his full strength team out and have them all raring to go.
What are your personal goals for the upcoming games, with Andre just coming back from injury and Harry just winning player of the month?
AA: For me personally it is very important. I still have standards to upkeep and want to lead this bowling attack to impart as much knowledge on the youngsters as I can over the remainder of the season. I need to pass on my experience to the younger lads so they can take control when I am not around. I still have the tough goal of reaching the target of fifty wickets that I set for myself and I believe I will reach that.
HG: It was very flattering to receive the award and it was something I wasn’t expecting. That award was for May and June's already seems boxed off, they might as well give it to Lumby now. It is something you don’t really think of as a player and you just concentrate on each game as it comes along with those extra things being a bit of a bonus really.