Dan Christian produced another match-winning performance as the Notts Outlaws cruised to a third consecutive Vitality T20 Blast victory in a rain affected match against Derbyshire Falcons.
 
The Outlaws skipper made 62 from 40 balls and then took three wickets to condemn the Falcons to a 39 run defeat at Derby under Duckworth/Lewis, their third successive loss in the North Group.
 
Tom Moores smashed 53 from 25 balls in the Outlaws 175 for 8 from 19 overs with Lockie Ferguson taking 4 for 26 but although Calum Macleod made 48, the Falcons pursuit of 179 fell well short at 139 for 9. 
 
The Falcons went into the game needing inspiration after two defeats and Ferguson delivered with four wickets in his first two overs.
 
Will Fraine was beaten for pace in the fourth over before Steven Mullaney, who had pulled Ravi Rampaul for six, was deceived by a slower ball and bowled for 20.
 
Moores flat batted Rampaul for another six over long off but Ferguson struck a big blow in the seventh over when he bowled Samit Patel for three and then had Billy Root well caught at point by a diving Wayne Madsen to reduce the Outlaws to 59 for 4.
 
But Moores and Christian counter-attacked with leg-spinner Matt Critchley bearing the brunt of the assault as Moores pulled him over wide long on for six before Christian drove him out of the ground.
 
Moores completed a 24 ball 50 but then failed to clear long on and although Christian launched Critchley for another six, Paul Coughlin and Jake Libby went cheaply before rain halted play for 45 minutes.
 
The Outlaws added 10 from seven balls to leave the Falcons chasing a revised target and Ben Slater took 14 from Harry Gurney’s first over, but then pulled Christian to deep midwicket.
 
Christian then ran out Alex Hughes with a direct hit from mid off but the Australian all-rounder was on the receiving end when Critchley took four fours from his second over.
 
Gurney returned to bowl Critchley for 19 and Madsen made only six from 14 balls before he was lbw reverse sweeping Patel as the Outlaws turned the screw.
 
Gary Wilson sliced a drive to cover, Wahib Riaz failed to clear wide long on and although MacLeod struck some defiant blows, a disciplined display in the field meant the Outlaws were never threatened.

Notts are next in action against Durham Jets on Tuesday and will be hoping to make it four wins on the bounce.

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Notts Outlaws are in Vitality Blast action twice next week, with fixtures against the Durham Jets (Tuesday 17 July, 6:30pm) and the Leicestershire Foxes (Friday 20 July, 6:30pm). Click here to book in advance and save...