Notts Outlaws face Durham at Trent Bridge in their final home fixture of the 2022 Vitality Blast group stage.
It is a contest in which the hosts have held the upper hand during the two-decade history of the English T20 competition, with many a notable moment along the way.
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221/4 – highest total against Durham
The Outlaws signed off their 2021 Vitality Blast group stage campaign in fittingly flamboyant fashion, flaying no fewer than 221 runs to outclass their North-Eastern opponents.
Ben Duckett crafted a typically creative 74, with belligerent support from Steven Mullaney (43*), to take the Outlaws to what was then their third-highest T20 total.
There were key contributions too from Alex Hales (35 from 17), Samit Patel (34 from 26) and Joe Clarke (27 from 19) as Notts thrilled the Trent Bridge faithful.
Durham never threatened to overhaul the target in sweltering conditions, with the hosts hunting as a pack to dismiss them for 143 – some 78 runs short – with four overs to spare.
100* - highest individual score vs Durham
“He’ll be looking to take the aerial route”, opined commentator Dave Bracegirdle as Joe Clarke and Notts Outlaws neared their target of 182 to beat Durham in their opening Vitality Blast match of 2020.
So it proved – and how.
Clarke’s defiant carve over cover was six as soon as it left the bat, taking the Outlaws over the line – and carrying the Outlaws opener to a maiden T20 ton in Notts colours.
This was a colossal performance from the opener, smashing sixes into the Chester-le-Street car park and carting now-England bowler Matthew Potts for three maximums in quick succession.
Captain Dan Christian led the applause for Clarke from the non-striker’s end as Notts began their ultimately victorious 2020 campaign with the swagger of a side destined to be champions.
4/25 – best bowling vs Durham
A group stage clash at Trent Bridge in the 2014 Blast may have gone the way of the visitors, but a virtuoso performance from Steven Mullaney will live long in the memory.
The all-rounder was irrepressible as he pouched Mark Stoneman off the bowling of Andy Carter, before picking up a succession of his own high-profile scalps.
Paul Collingwood was caught and bowled before Phil Mustard and Ben Stokes holed out – and by the time Ryan Pringle was pinned for a first-ball duck, Durham had slipped to 76/6.
The visitors would recover to 132/8, and with Alex Hales, James Taylor and Michael Lumb all departing cheaply, the chase was beginning to look beyond the Outlaws.
But cameos from Samit Patel (18), Riki Wessels (23) and Chris Read (23) threatened to change the course of the contest, with Mullaney also piercing the field with regularity.
Masterful death bowling from Chris Rushworth would restrict the hosts to just six from the final over – but Mullaney, unbeaten on 26 from 21 deliveries, had given his side more than a fighting chance.
*******
Be More Outlaw: The 2022 Vitality Blast at Trent Bridge
Pin your green and gold colours to the mast by securing your seats for Notts Outlaws' final home game in the Vitality Blast group stage.
Friday 1 July, Notts Outlaws vs Durham: Secure your seats…