Olly Stone has called on the Trent Bridge faithful to deliver an atmosphere to remember as Notts Outlaws aim to secure a home Vitality Blast quarter-final.
The Outlaws, who have won seven on the spin, are now aiming to confirm a home tie in the last eight when they face local rivals Leicestershire Foxes at Trent Bridge tomorrow (6:30pm).
Having already sealed progression to the knockout stages this week, a win for the Outlaws against the Foxes would ensure their quarter-final would be played at Trent Bridge.
“This is a special place, and when it’s a packed house, it’s incredible,” said Stone. “We want to get that crowd roaring, and the way everyone was after that game last Friday was amazing.
“Everyone loves playing here, and it’s even just the little things like the signatures at the end, we love doing it all.
“I feel like that’s a great thing about us, and about the club, so hopefully there will be another packed house on Friday to roar us on and get us to that home quarter-final.”
Stone retains his place in a 15-strong squad for the visit of the Outlaws’ neighbours from the opposite end of the A46.
Farhan Ahmed returns to the group, while Sri Lankan seamer Binura Fernando is included for the first time following Mohammad Ali’s departure on international duty with Pakistan.
Stone is pleased to welcome Fernando to the Outlaws’ group, and although he is yet to witness the 6’6” left-armer first-hand, he is excited by what he has read.
“His statistics speak for themselves,” said Stone. “He’s got a great record, and he’s a big lad! I didn’t realise how tall he was, and obviously being a left-armer, he’ll provide something different there.
“Obviously, Dazy [Mohammad Ali] was brilliant for us, and we wish him all the best with his internationals coming up, but I feel like everyone’s put their hand up in this competition.
“Although he was great for us, and he will be a miss, we’re not just reliant on him, and I’m sure the big man will come in and hit the ground running.
“Hopefully he’ll take a few wickets on Friday night, and he’ll have that Trent Bridge crowd right behind him.”
It may well be a baptism by fire for Fernando, who is likely to find something in the Trent Bridge air on his debut night within the context of the local rivalry.
Having thrashed the Foxes in Leicester by a new club-record margin of 74 runs a little under two weeks ago, Stone is eagerly anticipating an electric clash as the Outlaws bid to do a derby double.
“It’s always good when you play those local games,” he said. “It always gives you a bit more of an edge, and obviously we went to Leicester and put in a good performance not too long ago.
“Because of that, we know the way they play their cricket and the balance of their team, so hopefully, come tomorrow night, we’ll be ready and we can put in another good performance.”
