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Hayes was the pick of the bowlers in Notts\u2019 narrow defeat to Kent at Beckenham on Sunday, taking three wickets, and he feels his tactical awareness in particular has grown this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that\u2019s probably the thing that\u2019s improved my game this year more than anything,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat understanding of the game comes with playing more first-team cricket, which I\u2019ve been lucky enough to do this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cTime on loan in the T20s [with Gloucestershire] taught me a lot, so maybe I feel more comfortable in those moments after getting that experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlaying on those T20 Blast stages means it doesn\u2019t feel as daunting, and the back end of a 50-over game is essentially a T20, so you can transfer those skills back over.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the things I\u2019ve learned from that, and have the work I\u2019ve been building on in the last couple of years, has allowed me to put some decent performances in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hayes opened the bowling with Leicestershire loanee Sam Wood on Sunday, giving him more of a leadership role in a young seam attack.<\/p>\n
It was an opportunity the right-armer enjoyed \u2013 but he was also quick to credit the side\u2019s more experienced members with their impact.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a different feel, but it was quite nice to step into that role of a lead bowler,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we\u2019d still got a guy like Lyndon [James], there who\u2019s been around a while and knows his stuff, so he kind of took that leadership role in the group.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all had a chat beforehand and got on the same page. We came really close to a win, but I think as an attack we did ourselves justice on the day, and personally for me it was nice to put a performance in.\u201d<\/p>\n
This week sees Hayes visit Chesterfield\u2019s Queen\u2019s Park for the first time \u2013 and his first impressions are positive.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a nice ground with a friendly atmosphere \u2013 and they put on a good breakfast for training, which is great!\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a little training whizzing around the park and tooting its horn which is nice! The facilities are in good shape too, so I\u2019m looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tomorrow\u2019s game is the first of three in five days for the Outlaws, as the Metro Bank One Day Cup group stages enter their final stretch.<\/p>\n
Notts travel to Cheltenham (Sunday 9 August) and the Kia Oval (Tuesday 11 August) for their final two fixtures.<\/p>\n
The Outlaws currently occupy third place in the Group A table, which would secure a quarter-final spot, and Hayes is prepared for the challenge ahead as they seek to consolidate their place in the knockout stages.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to try and stay in the moment throughout the whole weekend,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s five days of cricket really, because you\u2019re travelling and playing day after day, so if you think too much about it feels quite daunting.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving that quarter-final in sight gives you the extra energy you need.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I\u2019m prepared for it, the body\u2019s prepared for it, so I\u2019m looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
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