Tomorrow, the Outlaws depart their Trent Bridge fortress for a North Nottinghamshire outpost where they boast a formidable record.
Of the five completed fixtures at Welbeck CC's John Fretwell Centre, Notts have emerged triumphant on four occasions, with homegrown heroes and international stars alike delighting the deckchair-wielding, picnic-rug-carrying throng.
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2015: Warwickshire wounded by white-ball wizards
The Outlaws’ maiden appearance amidst the rolling hills of North Nottinghamshire saw the hosts carry out a one-day demolition job over their West Midlands rivals, with Dan Christian and Alex Hales front and centre.
Christian, who would go on to skipper Notts to two T20 Blast titles, demolished a high-class Bears’ line-up of Ian Bell, Tim Ambrose, Rikki Clarke, Laurie Evans and Chris Woakes, recording figures of 5-40.
The visitors were dismissed for 220 – a target which proved child’s play for Outlaws openers Alex Hales and Riki Wessels.
The task was completed in a shade over 20 overs, Hales chalking up a breathtaking 56-ball ton as part of a 164-run opening stand before Wessels and James Taylor wrapped up proceedings.
2016: Slater impresses as Notts prevail
365 days later, a venue which lies a stone’s throw from the county border welcomed Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire to do battle – and it was the hosts who would decisively prevail.
Wessels passed three figures on this occasion, taking 80 balls to do so, and was ably accompanied by Brendan Taylor.
Derbyshire never looked likely to overhaul their target of 341, despite Ben Slater’s fine half-century giving the visitors a sniff of success.
Slater’s innings would have more significance than it first appeared. From his vantage point beyond the boundary’s edge, a watching Peter Moores was taken with the talent and application shown by the Chesterfield-born batter.
Two summers later, Slater would make his bow as a Nottinghamshire player, becoming a top-order lynchpin in the four-day and 50-over formats.
2017: Internationals unleashed
Notts’ next appearance in Market Warsop saw another resounding victory secured, and another side bundled out – but Leicestershire could have no shame in falling short against an international-class bowling cartel.
Former England international and future franchise title-winner Harry Gurney took the new ball alongside the wily, streetwise figure of Luke Fletcher.
The duo picked up a scalp apiece in the opening overs, exposing the Foxes’ engine room to quite the first-change pair, in the shape of Stuart Broad and James Pattinson.
All ten wickets fell to the pace-bowling battery, with Leicestershire’s target of 217 easily overhauled as Samit Patel, Brendan Taylor and Steven Mullaney all chalked up fifties.
2021: Notts triumphant on long-awaited return
The Outlaws’ most recent excursion up the A60 was some years in the making.
A 2019 four-day game was washed out, before 2020’s fixtures were wiped out. And as the rains forced the abandonment of Notts’ first 50-over game at the John Fretwell Centre in 2021, it seemed that fate had dealt the patrons at Welbeck CC a particularly poor hand.
But the skies would clear in time for Leicestershire’s visit two days later, as Nottinghamshire’s player of the summer put on a masterclass.
Luke Fletcher was, quite simply, in the form of his life, accounting for the visitors’ top three on his way to figures of 4-30.
The Bulwell-born seamer’s efforts were heartily received by the home faithful, with Brett Hutton and Dane Paterson providing able support.
With a modest target of 145 to chase, Ben Slater, Peter Trego and Matthew Montgomery eased their side over the line with some 30 overs to spare.
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The Royal London Cup Final
The timeless pomp, ceremony and tradition of county cricket's historic 50-over final. 18 First-Class counties go head-to-head in this prestigious competition, aiming to emerge with the spoils at our historic venue. Secure your seats here...