As Notts Outlaws’ two Sunday afternoon clashes in the 2023 Vitality Blast move ever closer, we take a look back at an enthralling double-header on the Trent Bridge turf in 2019.

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A crowd nigh-on 14,000 strong, a hint of Ashes fever in the air, and a nailbiting victory for the Outlaws from the day’s final delivery.

Notts’ thrilling Sunday afternoon victory over Yorkshire Vikings on Sunday 25 August was one for the ages.

It was a day which began with Loughborough Lightning – since renamed The Blaze after the move to Trent Bridge – in fine form.

Present-day Blaze stars Kathryn Bryce and Sarah Glenn were front and centre – Glenn removing reigning Wisden Cricketer of the Year Harmanpreet Kaur for a first-ball duck – as the home side cruised to victory by eight wickets with four overs to spare.

That cleared the stage for a heavyweight clash between Vikings and Outlaws – with the hosts setting a seemingly modest target of 148/7.

The biggest cheer of the innings would come courtesy of the drama some 75 miles north, as news of Ben Stokes’ Ashes heroics at Headingley filtered through to a jubilant Trent Bridge faithful – a reception which temporarily confused Outlaws batter Joe Clarke.

 

 

Come the run chase, the Vikings appeared in cruise control as they reached 99/2 with seven overs to go.

But the street smarts of Luke Fletcher, Samit Patel and Harry Gurney would ensure this group-stage clash went to the wire – and how.

 

 

The victory secured the Outlaws' passage to the Vitality Blast knockout stages, where they would again produce an unforgettable display in dispatching Middlesex by ten wickets.

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