Mick Newell branded Andre Russell’s performance “world-class” but lamented his side’s inability to chase down Northamptonshire’s 161-8, as Notts Outlaws crashed out of the NatWest T20 Blast at the semi-final stage.

The Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket refused to take consolation from his side’s consistent form throughout the tournament, which saw them win nine games in a row en-route to the last four.

“We should’ve chased 161, that’s all I’ll say. We should chase 161 every day of the week,” he said.

“It was a good effort by the bowlers, they did a good job to contain Northants and take wickets.

“They had two big partnerships which took the game away from us after we made a good start, and Duckett (84 off 47) obviously did well. But I don’t think that’s a score that should be unattainable, so I’m disappointed that we haven’t chased it.

“You can’t go to within nine runs with Jake (Ball) and Harry (Gurney) at the crease, that’s not really what Twenty20 is about.

“I don’t know how many times Harry’s batted this year, but he shouldn’t be out there with the pads on. Batters have to win games for you, and 161 is a very gettable score.”

Russell, the West Indian all-rounder, took 3-20 from four overs and blasted 39 off 18 balls having returned to the Club to feature in the showpiece occasion.

However, once Rob Keogh brilliantly caught him on the boundary, the Steelbacks were in the ascendancy and – despite a valiant 30 from Chris Read – the Outlaws never wrested back the initiative.

“He’s terrific. He’s a world-class cricketer and he gave a great performance, after picking up a knee injury as well,” said Newell on the ICC World T20 winning all-rounder.

“It was pleasing that we could bring him back, but disappointing that we didn’t win for him.

“Things like that (Keogh’s catch) can change a game. He got us up with the run-rate again and we were certainly in the game while he was batting.

“He gave us a chance. The people at the end couldn’t get over the line, or the people at the top either.

“Ready got us close, he played very well. He’s had a couple of good knocks in this competition, but you’ve got to win the game with your batsmen.

“We’ve had some good nights at Trent Bridge and put on a good show, but we didn’t win.”