Two years ago Sam Hain was a spectator when Warwickshire faced Durham in the Royal London Cup final at Lord’s and he found the atmosphere “awesome.” It was one he would love to experience as a player, he thought.
He has not had long to wait.
On Saturday, the 21-year-old will line up for the Bears against Surrey in the 2016 final – and he has come a long way in the intervening two years.
After a couple of seasons playing only in the county championship, this year, Hain was given his chance in white-ball cricket, opening the batting. It was a great opportunity for the talented young batsman – and one he has emphatically seized.
After setting down an early marker with a Royal London Cup century against Leicestershire at Edgbaston, Hain has gone on to score 528 runs at an average of 66 in the competition.
He has hit two hundreds and three fifties – and would love to be in the runs again on Saturday on the biggest stage of all.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “I remember going down to watch when the guys got to the final two years ago and it was an awesome experience so to be part of one, especially this early in my career, is something I’m really looking forward to.
“We were gutted to miss out on T20 Finals Day this season, especially as we have one of the best squads in the country, so it would be fantastic to hit back and end the white-ball season with a trophy. Warwickshire has a great record over the years in limited-overs cricket and we’d all love to add to that history.”
Hain is likely to open the batting again on Saturday, though he has some pretty illustrious company and competition around him in the top order. Ireland captain William Porterfield is available for the final and Porterfield, Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott have played a combined 320 Limited-overs Internationals between them.
“Those guys have played a lot of white-ball cricket internationally and in the county set-up so it’s great to have them around,” Hain said. “I had played plenty of limited-overs cricket over the years but opening the batting was new for me this season. I have usually been at three or four.
“It’s gone quite well for me in white-ball cricket and I’m just happy to be in the team and really looking forward to trying to help the guys bring back that trophy on Saturday.”
Tickets
Tickets for the Royal London One-Day Cup Final are priced from £30-£50 for adults and at £5 for juniors, with Warwickshire Members and supporters allocated the Edrich Stand and the Lower Tier of the Mound Stand.
Please click here or call the Lord’s Ticket Office direct on 020 7432 1000 to purchase.