Nottinghamshire beat Surrey by 4 wickets with 13 balls to spare to claim the Royal London ODI Cup at Lords yesterday. Although the game did not produce a thrilling finish, there were enough twists and turns , drama and fine performances to keep the meagre crowd enthralled throughout the game. The match will be known as the ‘Alec Hales’ final. The Nottinghamshire and England ODI opener scored a record breaking 187 not out in 167 balls with an innings of power and precision that took the game away from Surrey. The innings was a dazzling array of cut, pulls and drives that resulted in 20 fours and 4 sixes, which broke the record score for a Lords domestic final of 146 previously held by Geoffrey Boycott for Yorkshire ironically against Surrey in 1965.
However the direction and possibly the result of the final could have been different if Surrey’s Ollie Pope held onto a chest height catch in the covers powered straight to him from Hales when he had only scored 9. The game was finally poised at the half way stage of the Nottinghamshire innings with the score being at 150 for 5. Hales had posted a dominant 116 at this time but could not form a partnership as Surrey picked up wickets at regular intervals. Then stepped wicket keeper captain Chris Read into the cauldron. Playing his final game at Lords after a successful and distinctive 20 year career at the county, he went on to score a composed and classy 58 from 57 balls to steer Nottinghamshire towards the 297 for 9 posted by Surrey.
The Surrey innings was a curious mixture of highs and lows. Opener Jason Roy was dropped first ball of the innings at first slip with a straightforward opportunity to Riki Wessels . He went on to score a nervy 23. Opening partner Mark Stoneman batted through the innings to post 144 not out however he was dropped on 41 when he looped a drive straight to Steven Mullaney in the covers. Surrey were well placed at 141 for 2 after 23 overs with Stoneman scoring quickly with many well timed cover drives and Kumar Sangakarra posting a effortless 30. Then medium pacer Steven Mullaney and off-spinner Samit Patel bowled with guile and variations of pace to claim 5 wickets between them for 87 runs. From the half way point of the innings, Stoneman changed his approach to batting from playing fluid run making shots to a cautious style to ensure that Surrey would complete their 50 overs. Nottinghamshire’s team is packed with experienced, match winning one day players with the bat and ball. On a good Lords wicket, 297 for 9 was a score that always looked short of an imposing target for a side who chased down 370 in the semi final. And in Hales and Read, Nottinghamshire had 2 players that stepped up to their team’s billing and claim a deserved victory.
Yesterday was Surrey third consecutive final defeat in the competition. I have been in the crowd on all of these occasions. A common theme in all of the defeats are the low scores and all round disappointing performances from many key batsmen. In decisive running between the wickets and poor technique and shot selection have been displayed in these final defeats. The Surrey innings for long periods of these finals are nervy and edgy affairs and they will need to address these issues if they are return next year and win the final.
As in the other 2 finals I have attended, the crowd was disappointingly low at yesterday’s game. My photo’s below show vast areas of the ground that are empty and reduces the spectacle for fans and players alike for the domestic game’s show piece final. Prices of £50 to £60 per ticket for adults and the high merchandise and refreshment costs would make it an expensive day out for many people including families with children. For me, this is one of the areas where the ECB and cricket authorities are not considering the long term future of the game in England and Wales. To attract and retain fans to the game, value for money and affordability are key factors in a time where there are a high number of entertainment options and rising standard of living costs. Using other major cricket venues when there are long distances for finalists to travel should be considered along with reduction in ticket prices, merchandise and refreshment costs to draw fans to the final. Most fans and players from all County teams would agree a final being played in front of a sold out and vibrant crowd would improve the profile of the occasion and the game in general.
Pics showing the low crowd at Lords for the Royal London Final.
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