The opening episode of behind the scenes series, All In, sees Alex Hales reveal what was said upon gathering his teammates into a huddle when returning to Notts Outlaws duty in May.
Hales revealed to the Club’s T20 Vitality Blast series that he had things to get off his chest after being omitted from England’s squad ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup.
“As soon as I walked back into the changing room around the guys, I couldn’t have asked for any more,” he said. “Everyone has been unbelievable.
“I just wanted to apologise for everything that happened. I got the point across that I’ve not just let myself down; I’ve let down family, friends and teammates as well. I had to get that off my chest.
“I wanted to tell the guys how I was feeling, to let them know I’m 100% focussed on the cricket now and that I want to move forward and put the mistakes of the past behind me.
“It’s how it has to be, to be honest. I can’t change what’s happened. All I can affect is what’s going to happen.
“They asked me if I was ready to play,” Hales continued. “I couldn’t wait to get back out there. All I want to do is play cricket.
“I’m trying to look at it in as positive a way as I can. I have to crack on and try to make the most of what’s left of my career.”
The opening episode, which will be released weekly between now and the end of the T20 Vitality Blast competition, sees the Outlaws address a mixed opening half of the season which saw them top their Royal London One-Day Cup group, but also sees them at the foot of the Specsavers County Championship table.
Club captain Steven Mullaney, an Outlaw since 2009, believes losing has to hurt.
“With the stature of a big club, when things aren’t going so well, everything – whether it be the captaincy, the coaching or the players we’ve signed - gets looked into a little bit more. That’s absolutely fine. We are all there to be judged,” he said.
“You just want everybody to hurt as much as you do. If you cut us in half, we’d be green and gold.
“We know how lucky we are to walk onto the field with that badge on our chest.
“Hadlee, Rice, Johnson, Fleming and Read – the people that were there before – it meant a lot to them.
“They set the foundations for people like us to thrive on a big stage.”
The cameras, meanwhile, get in among the scenes in the dressing room at Northamptonshire after Samit Patel, a cult hero currently enjoying his 18th season in the Outlaws first team, masterminds a dramatic, last-gasp win that saw his side through to a home 50-over semi-final.
Watch the episode above.
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A Notts Outlaws squad brimming with international talent will commence their T20 Vitality Blast campaign against Worcestershire Rapids at Trent Bridge on Thursday 18 July, with adult tickets priced at £10. Secure your seats…