Fresh off the back of winning the 40-over equivalent in 2013, the Notts Outlaws embarked on a spirited defence of their title in the Royal London One-Day Cup of 2014, with numerous sparkling performances along the way.

Whether it be James Taylor smashing Middlesex to all parts on his way to a 55-ball hundred, or the home side edging home against Warwickshire at Trent Bridge courtesy of an Alex Hales century, the tournament featured no shortage of highlights for the Outlaws.

Here we look back at three of the campaign's most memorable matches. 

Notts Outlaws V Somerset, Tuesday 29 July – Match tied

After starting their 50 over campaign with an impressive victory over the Sussex Sharks, thanks to 116 from Alex Hales and 4-33 from Steven Mullaney, the Outlaws looked to make it two from two when they welcomed Somerset to Trent Bridge.

Put in to bat first, starts from Samit Patel (46), Riki Wessels (44) and Chris Read (42) were complemented by Kiwi overseas player James Franklin, who ended unbeaten on 59 from 66 balls, to help the Outlaws post 261-8.

In reply, the experienced opening duo of Marcus Trescothick and Nick Compton got the visitors off to a flier, putting on a stand of 125 in the first 25.2 overs.

However, when they were dismissed, Harry Gurney (3-62) and Jake Ball (3-57) brought their side back in to the game with regular wickets, stemming the Somerset charge and resulting in seven runs needed off the final over.

The returning Luke Fletcher showed all his death-bowling experience to restrict the visitors to six despite the best efforts of Tim Groenewald and Alfonso Thomas, the latter trying to sneakily steal a second on the final delivery before the umpires confirmed the ball was dead.

Middlesex Panthers V Notts Outlaws, Thursday 14 August – Outlaws win by 77 runs (D/L Method)

Having lost their unbeaten tournament record against Durham two days previous, a trip to Lord’s marked a quick opportunity for the Outlaws to bounce back. They did so in emphatic and record-breaking style.

Asked to bat first with rain reducing the clash to 45 overs per side, centuries from Alex Hales and James Taylor allowed Notts to post 368-2, the highest total ever posted at Lord’s in List A cricket and a Nottinghamshire record in one-day cricket.

Hales and Michael Lumb batted in their usual belligerent fashion, adding 217 inside 31 overs for the first wicket before the former fell for a 96-ball 141.

Lumb couldn’t make it three centurions in the day as he departed for 81 but that didn’t stop Taylor and Samit Patel from adding 122 in the final 8.3 overs.

Taylor, in particular, took a liking to the Middlesex attack, smashing eight fours and seven sixes in his 55-ball hundred, his final maximum coming off the final ball of the innings to bring up his landmark.

More bad weather threatened to derail the Outlaws’ hopes of victory before the players returned with the hosts needing 158 off 16 overs.

From there the Outlaws were on top with Harry Gurney (4-16) ensuring Middlesex were never in with a chance as they were all out for 80 in 13.3 overs.

Notts Outlaws V Warwickshire, Wednesday 20 August – Outlaws win by one wicket

With both sides at the top end of Group B, the final group stage match turned out to be a battle for home advantage in the quarter-finals, one that the Outlaws won.

Luke Fletcher followed up his last ball heroics against Somerset by hitting the winning runs from the final ball to take the Outlaws home by one wicket.  

Warwickshire won the toss and decided to bat first, Fletcher’s 4-44 pegging the visitors back throughout whilst runs flowed elsewhere.

However, a 166-run third wicket stand between Jonathan Trott (108) and Tim Ambrose (98) pushed the visitors up to a competitive 302-7 from their 50 overs.

In reply, Alex Hales and James Taylor were again at the forefront of the Outlaws’ efforts, adding 138 for the third wicket before Recordo Gordon bowled Hales for 104.

Taylor had made 62 before he fell and cameos from James Franklin (23), Chris Read (15) and Ajmal Shahzad (27 from 16) got the Outlaws to within touching distance.

It was left to Fletcher to finish the game off, with bat rather than ball on this occasion as he smashed the final ball of the game for four. 

 

Notts Outlaws will next be in home 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.