The Trent Bridge Take, delivered by Ambassador Cruise Line, is our alternative view of proceedings at the IT20.

Notts supporters can enjoy 5% off no-fly sailings using the code NOTTS5. Make a booking here...

*******

It has been quite a fortnight in this corner of the sporting world.

Twelve days ago came the start of the Trent Bridge Test, a fixture which would bring searing conditions, a New Zealand victory – and the small matter of an England captain retiring whilst on the field of play.

Four days later it was back to Blast – a sixth consecutive win for an Outlaws side firmly focused on securing a spot in the quarter-finals.

Now came England and India’s white-ball wizards – another day, another format, and another matchday with its own distinct flavour.

For the most part, this was an atmosphere with a distinctly subcontinental leaning.

There was more than a sprinkling of India blue in each and every stand; cricketing royalty in MS Dhoni watching on from hospitality; and a crowd whose decibel levels rose with every visiting wicket and boundary.

Their preferences were apparent as Jos Buttler was castled in the last over of the powerplay, and as Bethell, Brook and Banton followed without making significant contributions.

But while wickets fell at the other end, Phil Salt reigned supreme.

An innings which began with pure aggression became more calculated as the game wore on.

That wasn’t to say the scoring rate slowed – a final tally of 70 runs from 44 balls could never be described as pedestrian – but the opener became content to see Sam Curran take the initiative, smashing an unbeaten 41 from 24 to hoist the hosts past 200.

It was a total which felt more than defendable – although with Trent Bridge’s history of record-breaking white-ball tracks, the game was well and truly alive.

Nine runs came from Jofra Archer’s first over, and 14 from the first four balls of Josh Tongue’s maiden set – but over the course of the next 20 balls, the pacemen would change the course of the contest.

First came Tongue’s first-ever IT20 wicket, on his debut in the twenty-over format at Trent Bridge.

Then came the removal of 15-year-old wonderkid Suryavanshi, edging Archer behind.

And when Tongue claimed his second, removing former Notts teammate Ishan Kishan for 13, those more subdued supporters of an English persuasion finally found their voice.

England remained on top: two wickets from Archer’s next over, India five down after the powerplay.

While Will Jacks chipped in with the next scalp, this was a day where pace took centre stage.

Indeed, the only team who appeared capable of stopping England’s charge was England, as three fielders converged at short third after Arshdeep skied Tongue, only to allow the ball to fall safe between them.

But the result was never truly in doubt.

India were eight down at halfway, with Tongue and Rashid finishing the job shortly after.

It was a performance rich in statistical highlights.

Tongue had recorded the first-ever IT20 four-fer by an England bowler at Trent Bridge, and first by anyone since 2009.

England had recorded the largest ever T20 victory this ground had ever seen.

But more than numbers, this was a contest to be remembered by noise. From the passion of a partisan India support to an England side who ultimately had the last roar.

*******