Samit Patel may have missed out on the century his performance deserved against Leicestershire Foxes at Welbeck, but Peter Moores praised the all-rounder for firing the Outlaws to victory.
Patel has found himself promoted to number three in the order against both the red and white ball in 2017, and Moores believes today’s contribution could be crucial in the context of his side’s tournament hopes.
“Samit played beautifully and was then backed up by Brendan Taylor and Steve Mullaney,” said the Head Coach.
“It’s a good pitch, a really good cricket pitch with a bit of bounce, where you had to play well up-front.
“You had to play well up front, there is a bit of bounce in the pitch and I think credit to Welbeck they set it up great. There was a great crowd bit chilly but some good cricket played and some real credit for an out ground.
“Samit will be disappointed because he needed a three-figure score, but he also played with a style that put us in a really strong position quickly.
“As well as winning, it will have repaired our run-rate, which we needed after getting heavily beaten by Yorkshire."
Since back-to-back defeats to start the tournament, Moores believes the Outlaws have improved with each match during their current three match winning run.
“It’s a step closer and it is nice to have decent scope for keep getting better,” he added.
“Harry Gurney had an outstanding game with the ball, Jimmy Pattinson then followed that up with some very aggressive bowling and we managed to bowl them out.
“We are certainly improving, credit to the players really, they have the bit between their teeth.
“For the first time, we have got ourselves in the top three and a qualifying position. We’ve got two home games now and we know we have to keep winning.”
Moores also reserved praise for Welbeck, a venue where the Outlaws have now won each of their three completed fixtures and one to which he’d love to return in future years.
“It’s a good place to watch, there is no doubt about that,” he said.
“They have set it up very well. The pitch is conducive to the cricket because it has a bit of pace and bounce in it.
“You see good shot making but you also see wickets fall, so credit to them, they have done a really nice job and I’d definitely recommend coming back.
“It is a good spot for cricket and the lads love it here. We’ve certainly got a good record here which is important.”
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