Adams savours Lord's dream
Jimmy Adams is ready to realise his childhood dreams and finally play in a Lord’s final, two years after watching his Hampshire Hawks team-mates from the sidelines.
Adams stroked his way to a match-winning 78 in Sunday’s Friends Provident Trophy semi-final against Lancashire, to see Hampshire through to their second final in three years.
And, after missing out on the experience of a major final in 2007 through injury, Adams is determined to enjoy his turn in the spotlight.
“It’ll be brilliant, I just can’t wait,” he told ECBtv. “It’ll just be a fantastic experience, the kind of thing that as a kid you dream about and I'm just looking forward to the whole occasion – walking up the steps and all that stuff, but obviously once you get on the pitch you have to try and focus on the game.”
The Hawks secured their final place thanks largely to an opening stand of 159 between Adams and Michael Lumb. The Lightning hit back to restrict their opposition to a respectable 271 all out, but then limped to just 207 in reply.
Jimmy Adams punches his way to a match-winning 78 as Hampshire Hawks defeated Lancashire by 64-runs
Despite being a little frustrated with the Hawks’ final total, Adams believes it was the steady progress of the bowlers that sealed the 64-run victory.
“We got off to a great start, and were probably a little disappointed we didn’t get more, we would have liked maybe 300-plus. But they bowled and fielded really well in the second half and it wasn’t to be.
“But then having being put in, 270 you feel is still very competitive and the guys bowled fantastic.
“We just kept picking up wickets at constant intervals and that was the key really.”
That means Hampshire will have the chance to avenge their heavy 2007 defeat to Durham Dynamos, with Sussex the opposition at Lord’s on July 25 after defeating Gloucestershire.
And for Adams, it’s a chance to make up for lost time. “Obviously it was a brilliant day on a personal level, but also for the team to get through to another final is unbelievable, and on my front, I've never been before so it’ll be awesome
“They were frustrating years being on the sidelines, but you’re still part of the squad and you hope that the guys still do the job.
“However, it will just be a great experience to be there, and having messed up a little last time, it would be good to do it for the fans this time.
“I don’t know how many fans there were here today, but they made a good bit noise and I'm sure they’ll turn out for the final as well, which will be fantastic.”
