Notts Outlaws advanced to their first domestic one-day final in 24 years with a convincing 8-wicket victory over Somerset at Trent Bridge.
Put in, after afternoon showers had reduced the contest to 35 overs per side, Somerset were bowled out for just 119 in 25.4 overs, with Jake Ball claiming career best figures of 4-25.
"White ball trophies have eluded us for a long time but we've got a chance of winning one at Lord's and we'll give it everything." Chris Read
Chasing such a modest target Notts were sped on their way by a stunning cameo from Michael Lumb, who raced out of the blocks to hit 10 boundaries in a 38-ball innings of 46. James Taylor (20 not out) and Samit Patel (43 not out) kept up the pressure to take their side through to Lord’s with an equally punishing unbroken partnership of 60 in just 6.4 overs.
"White ball trophies have eluded us for a long time but we've got a chance of winning one at Lord's and we'll give it everything," said Outlaws Captain Chris Read.
"The crowd were fantastic tonight and we've given them something to smile about and a trip to London which they deserve.
"It's been a personal goal of mine to get to Lord's and one we've been looking for from a team perspective for a long time."
After naming an unchanged side Notts could hardly have wished for a better start, with Harry Gurney removing the Somerset captain in the opening over.
The fourth delivery of the contest found Marcus Trescothick (0) pushing at the left-armer and just getting enough of a feather on it, leaving Chris Read to dive forward and complete the dismissal.
Craig Kieswetter led the fightback, hitting two fours and two mighty sixes in a 20-ball knock of 22 before also falling to a catch at the wicket, this time off Ajmal Shahzad’s bowling.
Peter Trego batted positively, attempting to put Notts on the backfoot but he lost two partners in quick succession. Nick Compton (14) fell to the combination of a stunning catch and some canny bowling.
He mistimed a slower ball from Steven Mullaney out into the offside, where David Hussey held on, running out towards the New Stand.
James Hildreth (5) then lost his middle stump to Jake Ball before Notts gained the wicket they most needed at that stage.
Trego (40), clearly getting frustrated at being unable to get the ball away, chipped tamely back to Mullaney for a sharp caught and bowled.
Lewis Gregory (12) went in a similar fashion to Mullaney’s final delivery. His catch took him to 12 in this season’s competition, the most of any player and his final bowling analysis was also impressive, 7-0-35-3.
That was bettered by Ball though, who claimed the next three victims in quick succession to make it four in the innings, Piyush Chawla (1) edged to give Read his third catch and then Alfonso Thomas (1) and Jamie Overton (0) fell to successive deliveries, both courtesy of lbw decisions.
With nine wickets down Somerset took their batting powerplay but it couldn’t break their luck as Shahzad sent Steve Kirby (0) back immediately.
Alex Hales (5) fell to Kirby, early in Notts reply, but Lumb – then Patel and Taylor – ensured there would be no dramatic collapse as they crossed the finishing line with 112 balls remaining.
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