The Royal London One-Day Cup is heading into the final week of the group stage and, while the knock-out spots have not yet been filled, the groups are starting to take some shape.
In the North group, Yorkshire are looking comfortable at the top but there are other places up for grabs and Nottinghamshire and Lancashire, who meet at Trent Bridge, can each still grab one of them.
The hosts, despite a surprise loss to Durham on Thursday, are hanging in there in fifth place. Just above them, and with very little between the two, are their visitors Lancashire.
The Red Rose were all but out of the tournament thanks to poor weather at Blackpool on Friday, which looked set to yield no result against Derbyshire. The weather Gods suddenly felt charitable, however, and instead of a washout there was a Lancashire victory and the side lives to fight another day.
With three wins and three losses apiece, both sides need to win to stay alive in the competition. Both have also played an exciting, attacking style of 50-over cricket and have an impressive array of batting talent.
The Outlaws have been less than destructive with the ball, however, while Lancashire will no doubt field their visiting international Jimmy Anderson.
Whatever happens, it should make for an interesting day out in Nottingham tomorrow.
Some rain is forecast, so let’s hope the weather that eventually smiled on Blackpool yesterday can do the same for the East Midlands.
Key Men
The Outlaws will be pleased to still have Alex Hales in the side for this important game. His 104 from 103 against Durham was central to their almost-victory that evening. Always reliable at the top of the order, he could be just what they need tomorrow.
Always prepared to make an impact at the top of the order, Karl Brown seems to enjoy thrashing the ball around, then getting out; setting up the side, then letting more careful men get on with things. Although he has had one or two disappointing appearances in this competition, his appearances against Northants, Worcestershire and Derbyshire have been key. On his day, he is a destructive batsman.
Team News
Notts retain the services of their internationals, Stuart Broad, Alex Hales and Jake Ball. Brett Hutton, who did not appear against Durham, comes back into the squad.
Lancashire have named a 13-mans quad for the trip to Trent Bridge. Like their hosts, they retain the services of their international talent, James Anderson. Jordan Clark misses out due to injury.
Nottinghamshire squad: Brendan Taylor, James Pattinson, Steven Mullaney, Chris Read, Stuart Broad, Riki Wessels, Alex Hales, Harry Gurney, Samit Patel, Brett Hutton, Jake Ball, Michael Lumb, Billy Root
Lancashire squad: Steven Croft (captain), James Anderson, Karl Brown, Alex Davies, Haseeb Hameed, Kyle Jarvis, Simon Kerrigan, Danny Lamb, Arron Lilley, Liam Livingstone, Ryan McLaren, Stephen Parry, and Dane Vilas
Form
Nottinghamshire: LWWWL
Lancashire: WWWLL
Weather and conditions
It should be relatively warm but some rain is forecast through the centre of the day. Hopefully it won’t be enough to interrupt proceedings too much.
Date: Sunday 14th May, 2017
Time: 11:00am
Ground: Trent Bridge
Umpires: Paul Baldwin & Alex Wharf
Odds (SkyBet): Nottinghamshire 8/13, Lancashire 5/4
