After narrowly missing out on the knockout stages in 2015, there was no such trouble for the Notts Outlaws as they stormed to the top of the NatWest T20 Blast North Group before dispatching the Essex Eagles in the quarter-finals.
From early losses, to thumping victories, nail-biting triumphs and a record unbeaten run, the Outlaws’ road to Finals Day has included some fine performances.
However, the start of the campaign, hampered by rain and two opening losses, was anything but straightforward.
And that is where we begin our rundown of the Outlaws’ route to Edgbaston.
Birmingham Bears (H)
Once again facing the Birmingham Bears on the opening night of the tournament, and once again in front of a crowd of over 10,000, the Outlaws were outdone by T20 debutant Sam Hain.
Having posted 179-7, led by Riki Wessels’ 52, the Outlaws succumbed to the power game from Hain, as the Bears opener guided the Bears to a winning start.
The 20-year-old English-qualified opener smashed 92 not out as the visitors edged over the line by six wickets and with two balls remaining.
Durham Jets (A)
The first away trip of the year, to the Durham Jets, ended in a heavy 66-run defeat for the Outlaws as the evergreen Paul Collingwood starred with bat and ball for the hosts.
After stumbling to 111-6 in the 15th over, Collingwood rallied with an unbeaten 44 from 22 balls as the Jets posted 178-7.
The Outlaws lost wickets at regular junctures, Collingwood adding 1-22 from four overs with the ball, as three wickets apiece for Barry McCarthy and Paul Coughlin reduced the visitors to 112 all out.
Lancashire Lightning (H)
Tasked with getting a first win on the board on their return to Trent Bridge, the Outlaws responded in dramatic fashion in their pursuit of 185 to beat the Lancashire Lightning.
Wessels was once again on top form with 58 and after six penalty runs were awarded to Notts as the Lightning weren’t in place to bowl the last over on time, the Outlaws needed nine from the final over.
Sam Wood smashed an early maximum before Luke Fletcher scampered the winning run as the pair kick-started what would be a record winning T20 streak.
Relive the thrilling victory...
Derbyshire Falcons (H) & Yorkshire Vikings (A)
Having had his Outlaws stint shortened to just four games, Andre Russell was left frustrated by the English weather, as half of his scheduled matches were lost to rain.
An eagerly anticipated clash between the Outlaws and the Falcons didn’t see a ball bowled before a trip to Headingley, which started a run of fixtures on the road, was also decimated by heavy showers.
Worcestershire Rapids (A)
The West Indian powerhouse, Andre Russell, made up for lost time at New Road however, producing a man-of-the-match performance as the Outlaws continued their ascent towards the top spot in the North Group.
His lethal change of pace meant Russell took debut figures of 2-28 which, coupled with Steven Mullaney’s 2-22, restricted the Rapids to 164-5.
With captain Dan Christian powering along at one end, Russell joined the Australian in the middle to put on a match-defining partnership of 74, off just 6.3 overs.
Russell launched two of the biggest sixes of the tournament on his way to a 25-ball 41 as the victory lifted the Outlaws up to fourth ahead of a short trip to Derbyshire to face the Falcons.
Derbyshire Falcons (A)
The Falcons felt the full brute force of the Outlaws’ momentum as a fine all-round performance saw Notts power to an easy victory.
A career-best 4-20 from Harry Gurney and two wickets each for Russell and Jake Ball restricted the hosts to just 114 all out.
Wessels was again amongst the runs, Russell signed off with 15 from eight balls and Dan Christian made an unbeaten 38 off just 24 balls to add to his burgeoning run total as the Outlaws romped to victory in 14.3 overs.
Relive the Outlaws' storming victory...
Durham Jets (H)
The Outlaws couldn’t continue their winning run, or bounce back from an earlier defeat to the Jets, as a second consecutive washout at Trent Bridge gave the sides a share of the spoils.
Notts Outlaws will face Northants Steelbacks in the first NatWest T20 Blast semi-final from 11am at Saturday's Finals Day at Edgbaston.
Visit Trent Bridge Live on Saturday for live commentary, updates, ball-by-ball scorecard and statistics.