It is often said you should never meet your heroes as they inevitably fail to hit your lofty expectations.

But for Luke Fletcher that was not the case as Stuart Pearce, manager and legend of his beloved Nottingham Forest, helped inspire the Notts Outlaws to a victory which set up tomorrow's Royal London Cup semi-final.

The seamer may still have the words of the Reds legend ringing in his ears as he looks to help Notts earn victory over Durham Jets at Chester-le-Street and set-up a second straight Lord's final.

Fletcher told the Post he was stunned to see Pearce, rather than director of cricket Mick Newell, giving the pre-match team-talk before the Outlaws comfortably beat rivals Derbyshire in the quarter-final.

He said: "It was weird. I was one of the last to go in and I looked to my right and saw a Forest tracksuit. I looked again and thought 'oh my god that's Stuart Pearce!'.

"All the lads know I'm a Forest fan so they all looked at me to see how I'd react. It was brilliant.

"Everyone was hanging off everything he said. It reminded me of being told off by a headteacher back in the day.

"Everyone sat there silent and never said a word. He spoke about preparation and giving yourself the best chance in these knockout games and then some stuff that happened to him in his career.

"It was inspirational and really set us up for the Derbyshire win."

Notts are still in the race to retain their limited overs crown having beaten Glamorgan in last year's final by 87 runs.

Fletcher was not selected in that game, but he has become a key player in all three formats this season.

He is understandably keen to be able to play in this year's showpiece event at the home of cricket.

"It would be nice to get there again and build on the success of last year. I wasn't really involved in the one dayers at all last year so it's a good chance for me," he said.

"It would mean everything to the club to win. It's a chance to reward all the hard work that goes in through the season and the off season.

"The final on September 21 is the last game of the season so to be there would be great and to win it even better.

"Winning last year was great for the city, the club, the fans, the players and their families."

The weight of expectation will be on the man known as the 'Bulwell Bomber' as he is set to lead what must be a weary attack with Fletcher, Ajmal Shahzad and Jake Ball the only senior seamers available for the County Championship game against Durham this week.

He has proven he is capable of delivering in tomorrow's format with 11 wickets at an average of 21.09 and an economy rate of 4.56 this season.

"I feel in good touch. I'm pretty happy with how the season has gone," he said.

"Hopefully I can put a big performance in to help us get to another Lord's final."

The two sides are familiar foes having played each other four times already during this season.

Durham would appear to have the psychological edge having won in this competition and in the County Championship this week.

However, Fletcher says what has gone before will have no bearing on the game.

"I don't think it makes any difference. We've played them a lot. We know each others strengths and weaknesses and I just think the best side will win on Saturday," he said.

 

For more news, previews and match reports visit the Nottingham Post.