Leicestershire Foxes 163/6-162/7 Notts Outlaws (T20 Blast North Group) 18.09.20

Nottinghamshire Outlaws lost their first Vitality Blast group match of the summer last night as local rivals Leicestershire chased down Notts 162 target with just one ball of the match remaining to record a much-needed win for them in outside pursuit of a Quarter Final place.

It wasn’t a terrible night for Notts who all but cement their place at the top of the table after Lancashire were beaten by Durham but it was a match that the side will learn from going into a final group match against Durham on Sunday before the knockout stages start.

After earlier in the day announcing that Chris Nash will be leaving Notts at the end of this season it was disappointing that the 37 year-old former Sussex opener lost his wicket for just 4 runs and things got worse when Joe Clarke went for 19 with the scores on 34/2.

Alex Hales followed on 11 with Notts suddenly 42/3 and up against it. But in came Ben Duckett and Tom Moores who between them managed a 100 partnership Duckett scoring 53 from 43 balls and Moores 51 from 36 to give Notts a fighting chance.

After Moores went, Dan Christian was caught first ball for a duck and Duckett followed shortly after before eleven runs by Mullaney and four not out from Samit Patel ensured Notts reached a par 163 and after a good start by Nottinghamshires bowlers it was a fine innings by South African Colin Ackermann who played a large part in helping Leicestershire along their way.

The Foxes lost Welch and Delaney early but Lilley and Ackermann put on 75 to take the side into three figures and although Dearden and Rhodes went both to Mullaney the home side needed just six runs from the final over to win which they did with one ball spare.

Ackermann finishing on 67 not out with Parkinson 13 not out as Leicestershire won by four wickets in an entertaining game.

Next up for Notts is Durham at Trent Bridge on Sunday before the business end of the competition begins.

*Main image @TrentBridge Tom Moores couldn’t help Notts towards a win.