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<\/p>\nIt was a List A debut to remember for Notts newcomer Joe Pocklington yesterday as he took three wickets in Notts Outlaws\u2019 comfortable 51-run victory over Essex at Welbeck.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been quite the summer so far for the 24-year old, who, after catching the eye of Steven Mullaney in the National Counties competition earlier in the summer, has gone on to shine in the 2nd XI for the Green and Golds before signing a contract to represent the Outlaws in the 50-over competition.<\/p>\n
Pocklington is part of an unchanged 14-man squad for the Outlaws’ second outing at the John Fretwell Centre, with Worcestershire visiting North Notts (Thursday 7 August, 11am start).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
On his journey to date, Pocklington has had to maintain a sense of level-headedness, particularly thanks to the speed at which things developed in the lead up to his debut.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all come about very quickly the way the events have unfolded. It wasn\u2019t quite what I expected, but you\u2019ve just got to deal with it and go with it,” he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone\u2019s been really welcoming, I know of a couple of the guys through friends of friends. Jack Haynes has been one of those, he\u2019s been really welcoming to me. Steven Mullaney has been great in the twos \u2013 I\u2019ve got to know the guys in the twos very well having played with them for the past couple of months.\u201d<\/p>\n
Having done so gave Pocklington a sense of comfort and familiarity in making his debut.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t like I was playing with anyone I didn\u2019t know yesterday, which was helpful to make me feel settled,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Everyone\u2019s been really welcoming and friendly which has been ideal in making sure I\u2019ve got the best conditions to perform.\u201d<\/p>\n
And perform he did against Essex, taking 3\/53 including the scalps of three threatening middle-order batters to help put Notts in control, before taking the winning catch off the bowling of Rob Lord.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a really good feeling yesterday,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Obviously I was a bit nervous with it being my debut, and having run myself out with the bat I felt I had to contribute a bit, but once the first few balls came out nicely the nerves went away.<\/p>\n
“To get the win was massive and it was great to get off to a good start in the tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pocklington is hoping to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Lord, who earned a longer-term professional contract having impressed in last year’s Metro Bank One Day Cup.<\/p>\n
\u201cMull was very up front when he said he was pleased with what I saw from me playing for the twos,” he said.<\/p>\n
“He said that if some of the guys (the spinners) go to play in The Hundred, there could be opportunities. I\u2019d be lying if I said I thought I\u2019d end up being here as the only player bowling spin yesterday!\u201d<\/p>\n
Does that bring more pressure?<\/p>\n
\u201cIt does and it doesn\u2019t. It helps when you\u2019ve got such good seamers alongside you \u2013 Dan Sams, Brett Hutton and Rob Lord are all experienced and very good at what they do, which takes a bit of pressure off you.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut if I turn up to a pitch where it looks like it might spin then there might be a bit more pressure. Not heaps though, and being in an environment where everyone\u2019s been very encouraging to just let me go and do what I want to do makes things a bit easier.\u201d<\/p>\n
And whilst Pocklington has been exposed to the professional game already this summer with the Second XI, there\u2019s plenty he wants to soak up during his 50-over spell.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been a lot to learn in terms of the preparation side of things,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Some of these guys have been around for years, so to see how professional they are with every single game they play is brilliant.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it comes to batting there\u2019s obviously been so many runs in the team over the years that I\u2019ll be trying to pick their brains throughout the tournament. I was disappointed not to get many runs yesterday, but something I want to be able to do is help the team with both the bat and ball, so I\u2019ll definitely be speaking to the higher order batters on that front.\u201d<\/p>\n
A visit from Worcestershire Rapids awaits tomorrow as part two of the Outlaws\u2019 Welbeck double-header, where the side will look to make it two wins in two.<\/p>\n
A flurry of away games will follow tomorrow\u2019s clash before two matches await at Trent Bridge over the Bank Holiday weekend \u2013 where the showpiece will also be hosted on Saturday 20 September.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlaying at Trent Bridge, that would be fantastic,” said Pocklington.<\/p>\n
“Obviously I\u2019ve had the chance to train there a couple of times and have watched a couple of games there myself and I know it\u2019s a great atmosphere.<\/p>\n
“Getting to meet some of the Notts supporters yesterday was cool, so hopefully we get a good crowd in tomorrow and for those games towards the end of the group stages.\u201d<\/p>\n
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