Nottinghamshire have become something of a much-fancied force in limited-overs cricket in recent years. Boasting exceptional batting talents and players capable of taking wickets at vital moments, the Outlaws are often touted as contenders in the game’s shortest format. 

Twenty20 cricket is a fickle format, though, in which as little as a single over, or even delivery can change the face of a match and a team’s fortunes through the tournament.

Back in 2003, Nottinghamshire’s first foray into the format saw their fortunes vastly different from the side vying for a place at Finals Day each year. 

The Outlaws’ first match warranted a trip to Chester-le-Street to face Durham, and they found a heavy defeat laying in wait. Captain Jason Gallian scored 62, anchoring the innings but lost partners regularly. Set a total of 158 to win, Durham batsmen Nicky Peng, Ashley Thorpe and one-time England hero Gary Pratt contributed heavily and saw the home side register their first win in Twenty20 cricket.

Fortunately, Nottinghamshire bounced back with some style in their second fixture, thanks in no small part to the bowling of Richard Logan, who carved through Lancashire in a devastating spell at Trent Bridge.

He saw off both openers for six runs, Mal Loye sending him straight to captain Jason Gallian and clean bowling Stuart Law. He returned to trap Iain Sutcliffe without scoring, having Kyle Hogg caught by Guy Welton, and his next delivery trapped Saj Mahmood first ball.

Thanks to a handy contribution from Stuart McGill, Lancashire were all out for 120 with four balls to be delivered, Logan ending the innings with figures of 5-26. 

Notts completed their run chase at a canter, Gallian again scoring steadily, before Kevin Pietersen upped the pace. His 58 from 37 boasted ten boundaries, including one six, and ultimately took the game out of Lancashire’s reach. Welton, alongside Bilal Shafayat, saw the home side pass the total with five balls to spare.

Despite the imposing victory over Lancashire, Nottinghamshire failed to keep their momentum, losing out by a painful nine wickets to local rivals Derbyshire, a much tighter margin to Leicestershire and 18 runs to Yorkshire, ending the inaugural T20 Cup with just one win from five.

Fortunately, Notts Outlaws are a very different proposition now.

Notts Outlaws v Lancashire Lightning Friday 16 May - 6.30pm

Adults £10* / Under 21s £7* / Over 65s 7* / Under 16s £5*

Worcestershire Rapids Friday 23 May - 6pm 
Durham Jets Friday 30 May - 6pm 
Birmingham Bears Friday 13 June - 6pm 
Derbyshire Falcons Friday 20 June - 6pm 
Yorkshire Vikings Saturday 28 June - 2.30pm 
Leicestershire Foxes Sunday 20 July - 2pm

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Adults £14* / Under 21s £10* / Over 65s £10* / Under 16s £7* Families (2+2) £35*

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