Kent edged past Nottinghamshire by three runs as the Vitality Women’s County T20 began with a low-scoring thriller at Keyworth.
England spinner Kirstie Gordon bagged two wickets and contributed a handy unbeaten 20 to the Notts chase, but the visiting side’s total ultimately proved out of reach.
Notts made the perfect start after winning the toss, the opening pair of Sonia Odedra and Teresa Graves both grabbing a wicket in their first over.
But Maxine Blythin was able to steady the ship with a 22 which was a vital score in the context of the game.
Blythin was removed in the 12th over by Gordon, who finished with 2-14, and wickets continued to fall at regular intervals through the rest of the Kent innings, with one each for Odedra, Graves, Sophie Munro, Rebecca Widdowson and Lucy Higham.
Kent would close on 87-8, which ultimately proved to be a competitive total as batting conditions remained treacherous in the run chase.
Gordon aside, Higham (18) and Odedra (12) would be the only players in green and gold to reach double figures.
But the nature of the target Notts were chasing meant that the result remained in doubt until the final stages.
With Kirstie Gordon still at the crease with three overs to go, and 21 runs required, victory was very much still a possibility.
But Kent succeeded in removing Munro and Widdowson in the closing stages, and restricted Notts’ to 84-9, squeezing over the line.
The second half of Nottinghamshire’s season-opening double-header was called off, as the weather got the better of their clash with Lancashire before a ball was bowled.
See the full scorecard from Notts v Kent here.
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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…