Notts Outlaws face Yorkshire Vikings in Friday evening’s NatWest T20 Blast match at Trent Bridge starting at 6.30pm.
Both sides kicked off their campaign with impressive victories a week ago, the Outlaws overcoming Birmingham Bears, the defending champions, by eight wickets whilst the Vikings were similarly impressive in shooting down Derbyshire by seven wickets at Headingley.
With each county expected to challenge towards the top of the North Division this promises to be a crucial ‘don’t miss’ encounter.
Head To Head
In the domestic t20 competition Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire have faced each other on 22 previous occasions, 11 at home and 11 away.
The balance of power lies with Notts, who have been victorious on 14 occasions, including all of the last four meetings.
Yorkshire have come out on top seven times, whilst the only fixture not to be scheduled for either Trent Bridge or Headingley, the 2012 clash at Scarborough, was washed away as a No Result.
At Trent Bridge Notts have won eight of the matches (2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014) with Yorkshire winning three times (2005, 2008, 2012).
Last Time
Last year’s match between the two sides at Trent Bridge took place on June 28 and the Outlaws emerged victorious by 22 runs.
In a low-scoring contest the Outlaws could only post 143 for nine, after electing to bat first, with captain James Taylor scoring an unbeaten 52, making his runs from 38 balls, with five fours and a six. Ryan Sidebottom returned figures of three for 24 for the visitors.
Yorkshire could only muster 121 for nine in reply, with Luke Fletcher taking three for 21.
Sidebottom, returning to one of his old hunting grounds, struck in the first over of the match, removing former Yorkshire batsman Phil Jaques for 0.
Alex Hales hit Tim Bresnan for a huge six but then drilled the next delivery firmly back into the hands of the bowler before Riki Wessels hoisted Rich Pyrah to extra cover, all inside the first 4.2 overs.
Notts looked to be getting back on course as Samit Patel picked up three boundaries in quick succession but he then backed away, to give himself room, and was bowled by a top-spinner from Azeem Rafiq.
James Franklin, on his Nottinghamshire debut, made a fine impression as he bludgeoned 27 from 23 deliveries, with two fours and a six.
Oliver Robinson, who finished with figures of two for 25, removed Steven Mullaney and Luke Fletcher but then saw Taylor hit him down the ground to reach his 50 from the final ball of the innings.
The Vikings lost their way once pace had been taken off the ball during their pursuit of 144. Despite losing Aaron Finch and Andrew Gale during the powerplay overs they were still in control until Mullaney and Patel entered the attack and dried up the runs.
Mullaney didn’t pick up a wicket but only conceded 17 runs in his four overs, as well as executing a fine turn and throw to run out Adam Lyth off his bowling.
Patel, who ended with two for 19, induced Jonny Bairstow into a rush of blood, which saw him held by Alex Hales at long on and then removed Alex Lees for a run-a-ball 37.
The 19th over effectively settled the contest, with Harry Gurney having both Bresnan and Pyrah caught at deep midwicket by Franklin, in the space of only three deliveries.
Two Fletcher yorkers accounted for both Rashid and Robinson, to complete the Outlaws’ fifth win out of their last six home meetings against the White Rose county.
Played For Them Both
Medium-fast bowler Alex Wharf was born in Bradford and made his Yorkshire first class debut in 1994. After just seven appearances, which produced 11 wickets and a highest score of 62, he headed south to join Notts.
Between 1998 and 1999 he played in 21 first-class games whilst at Trent Bridge, collecting 40 wickets and registering two half centuries. In addition, he represented the county in 23 one day fixtures.
Later, after moving to Glamorgan, he gained England recognition and appeared in 13 One Day Internationals.
Alex is now a first class umpire and will celebrate his 40th birthday on June 4 2015.
Amongst other players to have represented both Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire are Greg Blewett, Brian Bolus, Mike Bore, Mark Broadhurst, Gareth Clough, Phil Jaques, Gary Keedy, Younis Khan, Michael Lumb, Ashley Metcalfe, Ajmal Shahzad, Ryan Sidebottom, Barry Stead and Richard Stemp.
History
The first meeting in t20 competition was in 2003, at Headingley and Yorkshire’s Michael Lumb won the man of the match award for a brutal knock of 55 from 26 balls, with four fours and five sixes.
For good measure, he followed it up with bowling figures of 3-0-32-3, dismissing Kevin Pietersen, Bilal Shafayat and Will Smith, the only three wickets of his t20 career.
Yorkshire won the 2008 meeting at Trent Bridge by nine wickets but then found themselves deducted two points for fielding an unregistered player, Azeem Rafiq.
Stats (all t20 matches between Notts & Yorks)
Highest Team Totals:
Notts: 215-6 (Trent Bridge 2011)
Yorks: 207-7 (Trent Bridge 2004)
Lowest Team Totals:
Notts: 136-8 (Trent Bridge 2008)
Yorks: 112-7 (Trent Bridge 2010)
Highest Individual Scores:
Notts: 91 MA Ealham (Trent Bridge 2004)
Yorks: 96* MJ Wood (Trent Bridge 2004)
Best Bowling:
Notts: 3-17 SR Patel (Trent Bridge 2013)
Yorks: 4-23 Naved-ul-Hasan (Headingley 2009)
T20 Debuts:
Notts: WR Smith, CE Shreck (both Headingley 2003)
JEC Franklin (Headingley 2014 – county debut)
Yorks: A McGrath, SP Kirby (both Trent Bridge 2004), JJ Sayers (2005 Headingley 2005), Azeem Rafiq (Trent Bridge 2008), LJ Hodgson, BW Sanderson (Trent Bridge 2010), I Wardlaw (Headingley 2011), AZ Lees, WMH Rhodes (Trent Bridge 2013).
Coverage
BBC Radio Nottingham will be providing full match commentary on its FM frequencies and there will also be on-line coverage via the BBC Sport website.
For text updates, ball-by-ball scorecard, visit Trent Bridge Live.
Notts Outlaws NatWest T20 Blast Fixtures & Ticket Information
v Yorkshire Vikings – Friday 22 May 6.30pm BUY TICKETS
v Durham Jets – Sunday 31 May 2.30pm BUY TICKETS
v Leicestershire Foxes – Friday 5 June 6.30pm BUY TICKETS
v Northamptonshire Steelbacks – Saturday 27 June 2.30pm BUY TICKETS
v Worcestershire Rapids – Friday 3 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS
v Derbyshire Falcons – Friday 10 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS
Need more information? Call our ticket office on 0844 8118711.