Jake Ball snared career-best T20 bowling figures at Edgbaston as the Outlaws’ trip to Shakespeare’s county ascended into a midsummer night’s dream.

Notts made it seven wins from 11 games after brushing aside Birmingham Bears in the West Midlands. 

The Outlaws totalled 177 for nine thanks to the efforts of Samit Patel (41 off 30 balls), Ben Duckett (39 off 20), and Alex Hales (34 off 21).

Birmingham’s reply then plunged into disarray at 19 for five and they were bowled out for 63, their lowest ever T20 total.

Alongside Ball’s return of four for 11, Calvin Harrison took four for 17, including a triple wicket maiden, and Samit Patel two for eight.

Having taken 18 wickets at 13.33 apiece in the tournament, Brathwaite was a big loss to the Bears' bowling and Notts, put in by home captain Will Rhodes, set off in a manner to take full advantage.

Opening pair Duckett and Hales smashed 54 in boundaries in a stand of 75 before both fell in quick succession, with Duckett caught by Matt Lamb at deep cover off Danny Briggs before Hales was well-held by Sam Hain running round the long on rope. 

The introduction of spinner Jake Lintott, who returned three for 28, applied a brake and, though Patel batted with his customary verve, Notts were grateful for a late salvo of 18 in six balls from Harrison. 

The Outlaws then torpedoed the Bears' reply right at the top with three wickets in the first 17 balls, as the Notts spinners gave their side the perfect start.

Patel dismissed Adam Hose, caught and bowled, in the first over and Matt Carter conceded just a single from the second. 

Ball delivered the third and ended it with 1-0-4-2 after Will Rhodes lifted to mid-on and Ed Pollock dragged a pull on to his stumps.

Neither Patel nor Ball was finished yet either, as Hain and Lamb were foxed into sending up skiers to leave the innings in ruins at 19 for five.

Rob Yates and Michael Burgess took the score to 39, but a triple wicket maiden from Harrison, ousting Burgess, Tim Bresnan and Briggs, turned that into 39 for eight.

Rapturous applause from the big, good-natured crowd greeted the raising of the 50 but the innings was soon wrapped up as Miles picked out Hales off Ball.

The result sees the Outlaws strengthen their position at the top of the North Group, needing just one more point to be mathematically assured of qualification for a sixth quarter-final in a row.