Kashif Ali, an MCC Young Cricketer making an appearance on trial for the Nottinghamshire Second XI, took six wickets in the day as the hosts secured one win from two at Grantham.

The 21-year-old leg spinning all-rounder claimed figures of 4-13 in game one to stifle the Worcestershire middle order and help Notts to a 51-run victory.

On a day where spin took centre stage, Liam Patterson-White (2-10), Matt Carter (1-18) and Chris Gibson (1-18) also made important inroads.

The twirlers took control of the contest after Jack Blatherwick brought an end to a 38-run opening stand between Ollie Westbury and Tom Fell, Westbury being well held by Carter for 32.

Earlier, Lyndon James was the bedrock of the Notts innings, smashing a 23-ball 42 including three fours and three maximums.

Ben Slater (27 off 19) had got Notts off to a good start inside the powerplay, but when he fell in the 8th over, Notts lost wickets at regular intervals.

It was Blatherwick who gave the innings late momentum as he scored a quickfire 18 from 7 deliveries.

The 21-year-old’s hitting proved crucial in taking the target to 155-9.

It was a total which would prove well out of Worcestershire’s reach, with the visitors only able to muster a score of 104 all out from 19.1 overs.

View the Game 1 scorecard here...

In game two, the visitors had the chance to bat first, but their innings got off to the worst possible start as Matt Carter struck with the second ball of the match as he had the Pears’ County Championship captain Joe Leach (0) caught at deep square by Ishraf Jandu.

Each of the Rapids’ top four made positive contributions in a total of 175-6, with Josh Dell top-scoring with 63 from 46 deliveries.

Wickets for the Outlaws were shared between Carter, James, Patterson-White and Ali, who added figures of 2-24 to his earlier exploits.

Ben Slater made a quickfire start to the chase with 57 from 39 balls, backing up his performance in the first match.

Jake Libby anchored the innings with an unbeaten 43, hitting two fours and two maximums, but wickets fell around him towards the end of the innings.

Notts finished on 170-6, leaving Worcestershire victorious by 5 runs.

View the Game 2 scorecard here...

*******

There are three further opportunities to catch the Outlaws in T20 action at Trent Bridge this summer, with the next home game under the lights against Derbyshire Falcons on Friday 16 August.

Secure your seats….