Notts fell an agonising 14 runs short of victory against Leicestershire in the semi-final of the 2XI T20 at Arundel Castle, with a paucity of big contributions preventing a chase of 175.
Ben Wilcox, Joey Evison and Sammy King made scores in the twenties but a quick fire 40 from the visitors’ Nick Welch and 62 from Harry Swindells ultimately took the Foxes to an unassailable total batting first
It was that duo which did the bulk of the damage for Leicestershire, the opening pair combining for an eight over stand worth 89 before Ben Martindale had Welch caught by King.
The Outlaws fought back well with wickets for captain Montgomery and Harlan Greig in addition to Martindale, while Farharn Ahmed proved the pick of the bowlers with his four overs going for just 22 runs.
In response, both Sol Budinger and Dane Schadendorf fell for single figures within the powerplay before Wilcox and Evison shared a 52-run third wicket stand.
By the end of the eighth, the Outlaws’ required rate had crept up to nine runs per over, and the loss of both in batters within five balls of each other for 23 and 29 respectively put Notts further on the back foot at 70/4.
Despite intermittent blows from King, who fell for 22 in the 16th over with the score on 121, an economical rally from Wiaan Mulder, George Griffiths and Ed Barnes put paid to the Outlaws’ hope of reaching their target.
*******
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