Some Outlaws fans may have been curious when they saw Tom Moores walking out to open the batting alongside Riki Wessels in the East Midlands derby against Derbyshire Falcons yesterday.
The wicket-keeper was Wessels’ fourth opening partner this season following in the footsteps of Chris Nash, Steven Mullaney and Will Fraine after being promoted from his usual spot at number three, and whilst some batsman would have shown signs of trepidation, Moores took it in his stride.
In just the second over the 21-year-old sent the experienced Ravi Rampaul to the boundary for back to back sixes before making his way to a total of 48 from 34 balls, the top score in the Outlaws innings and falling just short of his third T20 fifty of the season.
Despite dipping his toe into the unknown waters of being an opening batsman, Moores was happy with his performance.
“It would have been nice to go on and turn it into a big score but at the end of the day to get us off to a good start was the plan,” he said.
“For me I view it as the powerplay and whether you’re at one, two or three it doesn’t really matter.
“I just play my way, as everyone knows it’s a pretty aggressive style of cricket, and if I can put a score on for the lads that’s the ideal scenario.
“T20 is a game of risks and you’ve got to go out and play like that, it was a shame to get out but that’s how I play and if it comes off hopefully I can win matches for the team.”
An inspired bowling spell from Ish Sodhi then led Notts to a nine-run victory and whilst Moores believes it was nice to get one over on their neighbours, there’s still room for improvement.
“To get back on a winning streak at home is nice,” he said.
“I think we’re still nowhere near our best but we’re happy with how we played and so long as you get over the line that’s all that matters.
“It’s a big game on Saturday and it’s nice to be going into it with a win.”
Saturday (4 August) is already shaping up to be a pivotal fixture in the Outlaws T20 campaign as Worcestershire visit Trent Bridge, with play beginning at 7pm.
The Rapids currently sit third in the T20 Blast North Group, just one point above the Green and Golds, who are fifth, and the visitors return to Nottingham after leaving with the spoils in last year’s competition.
During last season’s defeat Moores gave us a glimmer of the power hitting he’s capable of, smashing 26 from just nine deliveries towards the end of the Notts innings.
The left hander will be hoping to clear the ropes in a similar fashion come Saturday as the Outlaws look to boost their qualification hopes.
“I don’t really try to think about who’s bowling or who’s doing it, I just think if it’s in my area I go for it and try to entertain the crowd,” he said.
“I just try and put a good score on for the lads, so I think I’m pretty simple in how I go out and play my game but it’s always good fun.
“We can’t really look too far ahead, you’ve got to play what’s in front of you.
“T20 can change as we saw today – we get off to a flyer then we lose a couple of wickets and they do the same but then we get a couple of wickets, Ish bowled beautifully with Samit in the middle so you can see how it changes so quickly.
“You’ve got to try and always stay in the moment and not look too far ahead so I think clear game plans is the way forward.
The two sides are yet to meet in this season’s competition but Moores is already aware of the threat posed by the Rapids.
“They’ve got a good batting line-up but so have we and I think all the sides in the competition are strong,” he said.
“You can never underestimate any side. You’ve got to treat every game as a fresh start and go in where everyone knows their roles, try to play it as clear as you can and that’s what we’ll try to do.”
The Outlaws will still be without Alex Hales for the visit of the Rapids.
Hales is hoping to be available for selection for the Birmingham Bears game on Thursday (August 9) at Edgbaston as he continues to recover from a side strain he picked up on England duty.
Notts Outlaws squad to face Worcestershire Rapids (from): Jake Libby, Steven Mullaney, Riki Wessels, Harry Gurney, Matt Milnes, Luke Fletcher, Samit Patel, Tom Moores (wkt), Jake Ball, Paul Coughlin, Will Fraine, Dan Christian (c), Ish Sodhi and Billy Root.
***********
Secure your seats for Notts Outlaws v Worcestershire Rapids on Saturday 4 August at 7pm here...