Notts will stay on attack with Sodhi
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE head coach Peter Moores has not been deterred by Imran Tahir’s comparative ineffectiveness last season and has signed a like-for-like replacement in Ish Sodhi.
Tahir took just six wickets in his seven matches for the Outlaws in 2016 but the attacking nature of a leg-spinner clearly appeals to Moores, following the signing of the New Zealand international.
Sodhi will be present for the whole of Nottinghamshire’s T20 campaign, which runs in a single block this summer, alongside Australian Dan Christian.
The 24-year-old has played 12 T20 internationals for New Zealand and taken 21 wickets at an average of under 15, with an economy rate of a less than seven.
He has also played 14 Tests and 15 ODIs.
Sodhi took 6-11 for the Adelaide Strikers against Sydney Thunder in this winter’s Big Bash and played twice in the Black Caps’ one-day series defeat to South Africa.
And Moores hopes that having a settled side, playing an attacking brand of cricket will enable them to go all the way to the final after semi-final disappointment in 2016.
He said: “We had Imran last year and what we are hoping for is a similar role from Sodhi but in his own style.
“What leg-spinners do is create those wicket-taking opportunities in the middle overs and if you are not taking wickets you are under pressure.
“That becomes an attacking option which suits our attacking style.
“He’s never been to England before so that’s exciting for him and us and he’s here for the whole tournament and I think it’s nice if you can get that.
“He’s very up for it and what you find in T20 is, once people get comfortable with the system and their role in the side, they become more relaxed.”
The T20 Blast will move away from the Friday night slot it occupied in 2016 this year and will be almost entirely played during a six-week period in July and August.
The schedule now reflects the one favoured in Australia’s Big Bash and the IPL and, while Moores expects that decision to raise standards, he’s also excited for the opportunities that a franchised T20 competition would bring.
“I think it helps the players when you get one form of the game, you find the standard goes up because you get into your skills,” he said.
“It’s hard to jump between formats and it will be different but I am quite excited by the whole schedule.
“I have always been a believer that we should do franchises, I’ve thought that for a long time.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for players to show off their skills and get them selected for other franchises in the Big Bash or IPL or go on to play international cricket.”