A half century from captain David Hussey and economical spells from both Samit Patel and Graeme White helped Notts Outlaws to a 25-run victory over Yorkshire Vikings at Headingley.
Arriving at the crease in the seventh over Hussey hit 4 fours and one 6 in his 42-ball innings of 52 not out to guide his side to a total of 155 for eight.
The Vikings appeared well-set at 75 for one in their reply but the two spinners claimed four wickets between them, at the expense of just 37 runs, as Yorkshire were restricted to 130 for six at the end of their innings.
Announcing an unchanged eleven, Hussey again lost the toss and was asked to bat by Azeem Rafiq, standing in as home captain for the injured Andrew Gale.
Ryan Sidebottom, the former Outlaws player, began the match by bowling to Michael Lumb, himself a former Yorkshire player.
Lumb (6) was unable to see out the initial over, flashing hard and edging through to wicket-keeper Andrew Hodd from the fifth delivery.
Patel began confidently, hitting Sidebottom for four from his first delivery and then putting Adil Rashid over extra cover for six in the next.
Alex Hales (5) had his off stick knocked out of the ground when stepping back to try and cut Liam Plunkett in the fifth over.
Patel tucked into Jack Brooks in the final over of the powerplay, hitting him for a one-bounce four, followed by a pulled six and a cover drive for another boundary to move it on to 51 for two.
James Taylor (8) was a little unlucky as he pulled Plunkett powerfully but was well-taken by Rafiq at midwicket.
Captain Hussey was greeted with a high loopy full toss by Rashid which he pulled over the ropes on the eastern side.
The pair added 42 for the fourth wicket before Patel (46) lofted Rafiq to long on, where Plunkett took the catch to leave Notts on 99-4 at the start of the 14th over.
Steven Mullaney (3) was caught by a diving Dan Hodgson off Pyrah out in the deep as Notts again started to lose their way inside the final few overs.
Hodgson set them back further with another catch, this time a juggling effort to remove Chris Read (2) off Rafiq.
Both Hussey and Ian Butler managed to find the backward point fence in the 18th, Sidebottom’s returning over, and then the New Zealander hit the final delivery over the ropes at the Football Stand End.
Showing it wasn’t a fluke he did the same to Rafiq in the 19th – another monster blow – as the visitors pressed hard. A fine throw from Adam Lyth ended Butler’s stay at 18.
Hussey’s fifty just before the end of the innings (41 balls 4x4, 1x6) but White (0) didn’t have a chance to shine and was selflessly run out from the final ball trying to come back for a non-existent second.
Defending 155 Notts had a great early boost by dismissing Lyth (8) in the first over – as the left-hander played tamely to Patel in the covers. The wicket was Harry Gurney’s 50th in the shortest format of the game.
Joe Sayers and Dan Hodgson enjoyed themselves in a second wicket stand of 67 – the largest of the day. The much-needed breakthrough came from Patel as Sayers (38) picked out Mullaney on the long on fence.
Hodgson (32) was then beaten through the air and stumped by Read off White, leaving 65 needed from 6 overs.
White enjoyed a golden few minutes as he then had Hodd (6) given out lbw and took a stunning catch on the fence to remove dangerman Gary Ballance (18), out sweeping against Patel.
The spinners figures were: White 4-0-18-2 and Patel 4-0-19-2.
Patel had a say in the final wicket as well, as Plunkett (12) found him in the deep off Butler.
After two consecutive defeats – batting first on both occasions – Notts Outlaws showed again that they are equally comfortable setting and defending a total - and now return to the top of the North Group with five wins from seven matches.
The Outlaws face Derbyshire Falcons at Trent Bridge on Tuesday evening.
Click here to purchase tickets for Notts Outlaws Friends Life t20 matches at Trent Bridge.
Notts Outlaws Friends Life t20 matches at Trent Bridge
Tuesday 23 July Vs Derbyshire Falcons - 6.30pm TICKETS
Friday 26 July Vs Yorkshire Vikings - 6pm TICKETS
Sunday 28 July Vs Lancashire Lightning - 2.40pm TICKETS
Buy In Advance & Save:
Adult tickets £13 / Under 16s and Over 65s £7 / Family ticket (2+2) £33
On the day prices:
Adult tickets £16 / Under 16s / Over 65s £16 / Family ticket (2+2) £40
Enjoy Friends Life t20 hospitality at Trent Bridge for £84 per person
Your package will include:
- Use of a private suite in the Radcliffe Road Stand with a balcony overlooking the field of play
- Nibbles served on arrival
- Hot main dish served in your suite 30 minutes before the start of play
- Cheese, biscuits and chutney during the interval
- Match scorecard
- Box host
- Car Parking 1:4
Steak, chips and cricket: click here to enjoy informal hospitality for just £25
Read our free Friends Life t20 Event Guide here.