Sol Budinger bludgeoned a 33-ball half century before Nottinghamshire survived a late scare to win by five runs against Leicestershire in the 2XI T20 North Group at Grantham Cricket Club.

Budinger’s contribution and a run-a-ball 44* from Joey Evison helped Notts set a commanding target of 176, and an off-the-pace start to Leicestershire’s reply meant the visitors looked out of the game, but 56 from the final four overs gave the contest a tight conclusion.

The Green and Golds were inserted having lost the toss, but Budinger and Ben Slater made a blistering start, adding 41 for the first wicket before the latter skied a pull shot in the fifth over and was caught by Harry Dearden at square leg for 15.

He made way for Joey Evison who rotated the strike well to facilitate Budinger’s assault, and the left-hander brought up his fifty with a third consecutive six off Alex Evans in the ninth over before he was caught at deep mid-wicket two overs later for 56 with the score on 98.

Academy graduate duo Lyndon James (18) and Liam Patterson-White (17) chipped in with important cameos while Evison dominated the strike to carry Notts over the 150 mark and beyond.

Requiring 8.75 runs-per-over, Scott Steele and Rishi Patel made a promising start to their reply, and accelerated onto 21 runs after three overs before three wickets in six balls pegged the visitors back. 

Patel was the first to go, sent back to the non-striker's end by Steele but not before Slater could affect the run out, then Steele himself mistimed a scoop shot off Tom Barber through to Dane Schadendorf.

In the first ball of the next over, Sam Bates chipped Evison tamely to mid-wicket to leave the hosts reeling at 24 for three.

A 69-run fifth wicket partnership between Louis Kimber, who made 42 from 28 deliveries, and Nick Welch kept Leicestershire in the hunt though, albeit with the required rate continuing to rise.

Dearden joined Welch with 4.4 overs left, and the pair set about a late offensive.

The pair took James’ 17th over for 16, before Ball conceded 10 and Barber 17 to leave 18 required off the last over.

Ball bowled the last, and conceded two fours in the first two balls, but responded with a dot ball and three pin-point yorkers to close out the over and give Notts the win.

You can view the full scorecard here.