Notts Outlaws were indebted to match-winning contributions from Darren Sammy and Samit Patel as they emerged victorious by 11 runs against the Worcestershire Rapids, at New Road in 2015. 

The Outlaws made 169-5 after being put in, with five batsmen making scores of between 27 and 36.

Darren Sammy finished as top scorer but, more importantly, his runs came right at the back end of the innings to send the Outlaws into the interval with much needed momentum.

The Rapids were behind the rate from the mid-point of their chase and despite an explosive 36 from Ross Whitely, they were bowled out for 158 with four balls remaining.

Samit Patel, with three for 17 and Luke Fletcher, who took three for 35, returned the leading figures for the visitors.

After seeing his side pick up their third win out of five Blast matches, Mick Newell praised his side, “I think it was a pretty decent performance by us in all aspects, It looked like we were in control,” he said.

“The last over of our innings, where Darren Sammy scored those runs, was pivotal in the overall outcome but that’s why him and players like him are so important to get in,” added the Director of Cricket.

Alex Hales and Riki Wessels opened the batting for the Outlaws, but neither batsman survived Jack Shantry’s opening over.

Wessels was caught off the fifth ball, hoisting to Daryl Mitchell at mid off. The batsmen crossed whilst the ball was in the air and Hales nicked the next ball behind, chasing a wide one through to wicketkeeper Ben Cox.

Shantry was unable to pick up a hat-trick when he moved in for the third over and soon saw Steven Mullaney ping him back over his head for the first maximum of the day.

Brendan Taylor began in confident mood and timed his way to a quickfire 27, out of a partnership of 57 with Mullaney.

As soon as the powerplay overs had been concluded, the Rapids took pace off the ball to great effect, as Saeed Ajmal and Moeen Ali each struck in their respective first overs.

Taylor was taken in the deep by a sliding Colin Munro and then Mullaney, who scored 29, stood aghast as Mitchell stuck up his right hand and claimed a reflex catch at short midwicket.

Patel and James Taylor began the rebuilding effort with a succession of singles, but they should have been parted in the ninth over when a miscommunication found both players almost at the same end. Ross Whiteley’s poor return to ‘keeper Cox, however, enabled Taylor to return to safety.

Patel levered Ali over the midwicket fence for six to bring the 100 up but another blow off Joe Leach brought about his downfall, as Tom Kohler-Cadmore clung on to a boundary catch to end his innings for 30.

That brought Sammy to the crease and the big West Indian showed his immense power as he muscled his way to 36 not out from just 16 balls, hitting Shantry for three maximums in the final over, with James Taylor ending unbeaten on 35.

Ali and Mitchell began the reply by taking 34 from the first three overs but Notts struck back with two wickets, to restore the balance of power.

Luke Fletcher’s first delivery found Mitchell hitting straight to Wessels at extra cover for 13 and then Richard Oliver sliced high to Sam Wood for nine, giving Hilfenhaus his maiden wicket for Notts.

The Outlaws returned to their tried and tested format of taking pace off the ball as soon as the powerplay had finished, with Mullaney and Patel entering the attack.

Patel’s second ball picked up the important wicket of Ali, lbw for 36, reverse-sweeping. The spinner continued to work his way through the Rapids middle order, adding Colin Munro and Cox to his list of victims.

Munro heaved away on the leg side but picked out Wessels and Cox was given out lbw.

Mullaney also got in on the act, picking up his 50th T20 wicket for Notts, as Brendan Taylor completed a sharp stumping to remove Kohler-Cadmore.

The end appeared to be coming quickly as Hilfenhaus shuttled one through the defences of Ed Barnard and Fletcher did the same to Leach to leave the score on 118 for seven.

Whiteley started to threaten, teeing off spectacularly as he blazed his way to 36 with four sixes.

However, Harry Gurney bowled him in the 19th over and Fletcher collected his third wicket to sew up the match, courtesy of a stunning catch by James Taylor which ended Shantry’s late resistance.

 

Notts Outlaws NatWest T20 Blast Fixtures & Ticket Information

Vs. Worcestershire Rapids – Saturday 9 July 2.30pm BUY TICKETS

Vs. Yorkshire Vikings – Friday 15 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS

Vs. Leicestershire Foxes – Friday 29 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS

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