Notts Outlaws edged to a thrilling two-run final-ball victory over local rivals Derbyshire Falcons to keep their hopes of reaching a sixth consecutive NatWest T20 Blast quarter-final alive.

Alex Hales and Samit Patel struck 54 and 52 respectively as Notts won the toss and set the Falcons the target of 173, after posting a total of 172 for six.

Derbyshire seamer Shiv Thakor counted Patel among his scalps in a return of 3-25, while Hamish Rutherford became the game’s third half centurion at the top of the visitors’ response.

Jake Ball produced a man-of-the match haul of 3-36, including the vital wicket of Rutherford for 62, and Trent Bridge’s record domestic T20 attendance of 13,582 were treated to an exhilarating final-over shootout.

With five needed from the last delivery, Wayne Madsen - who finished 51 not out - could only manage two from a well-directed Harry Gurney yorker - as his side reached 170 for four.

Notts move onto 10 points, with trips to Lancashire, Durham and Leicestershire to conclude their North Group campaign, while Derbyshire remain bottom of the standings.

Hales began with a brace of fours off Wes Durston but opening partner Michael Lumb did not start in such fluent fashion, chipping Thakor to deep midwicket.

The next catch came in the crowd as Hales dispatched Thakor over his favoured square-leg region, while new man Riki Wessels dished out similar treatment to Nathan Remmington before Greg Cork dismissed him for 22.

Hales greeted Chesney Hughes’ left-arm spin at the halfway mark by smashing four, which was followed by Patel handsomely planting Alex Hughes beyond long-on in consecutive overs.

A cut behind square from Hales brought up the fifty partnership in-between those blows and back-to-back fours saw the opener raise his own half-century from 33 deliveries. However, he was soon caught out by Alex Hughes off namesake Chesney after attempting to launch another lofty blow over the leg-side.

Patel carved a four over extra cover to move towards a 35-ball fifty, although Thakor removed him at the start of the 18th when Tom Knight held a high catch.

James Taylor became Thakor’s third victim for 12 when an attempted ramp shot spooned up to wicketkeeper Tom Poynton, and Rimmington yorked Steven Mullaney at the start of a closing over that cost six.

Durston got Derbyshire off to a good start but, having knocked four fours off Ball, he hit the same bowler to Gurney at third man to fall for 22.

Rutherford hoisted Gurney over wide long-on and crunched the next delivery through the covers as the Falcons past 50 after five.

Mullaney (1-23) snaffled Chesney Hughes caught and bowled to end a 43-run stand at the end of the eighth and Derbyshire had slowed to 83 for two midway through the chase.

Rutherford reached a 40-ball fifty and added 57 with Madsen before Ball pivotally uprooted the New Zealander’s middle stump halfway through the 16th over.

Alex Hughes lost his leg stump to Ball and Derbyshire needed 11 from the final over - a task that proved just too steep for Madsen.

 

Notts Outlaws will next be in action with the return of 50-over cricket for the Royal London One Day competition throughout July and August, starting with a weekend at Welbeck Cricket Club. Don't miss out on the next step of our summer of cricket and secure your seats now.