Hales Inspires Outlaws' Sensational Triumph

The Vikings remain atop their Twenty20 group, courtesy of a healthy run rate, but they succumbed to a narrow defeat at Trent Bridge in a match that they should never have lost. Initially the visitors accelerated to an eye-catching 66 off the first five overs. The opening pair actually bludgeoned eighty three runs in 6.1 overs before they were separated. In the end, the Tykes posted another giant total against the In-laws, with Lyth and Marsh again plundering heaps of runs against the same opposition. 223 really ought to have been an impregnable amount, but the formidable Hales immediately tore into the bowling of Willey and Bresnan.

In fact, both Bresnan and Willey were so poor that they would have been better off being rested! What was especially peculiar was that Brezza had opened with two maidens in his most recent Twenty20 outing whilst this time he conceded a shocking forty runs from a mere thirteen deliveries. Rashid did his best to repair the damage but along came Christian and then Mullaney to blast the maximums that took the hosts over the winning post with five balls to spare.

The Vikings still look likely to qualify for the last eight, thanks to an impressive batting unit, but it's bowling and fielding frailties which threaten to undermine the quest for silverware.

Nottinghamshire Outlaws versus YORKSHIRE VIKINGS; in Nottingham; Sunday the thirtieth of July. Nottinghamshire Outlaws won the toss.

YORKSHIRE VIKINGS: 223 for five (off twenty overs)

Lyth c Root b Patel 59 (109-3)

Kohler-Cadmore c Ball b Mullaney 38 (83-1)

Willey c Wessels b Patel 2 (87-2)

Marsh b Christian 47 (193-5)

Handscomb lbw b Patel 31 (177-4)

Leaning not out 28

Bresnan not out 4

Extras: fifteen

Patel 4-0-29-3

Nottinghamshire Outlaws: 225 for five (off 19.1 overs)

Wessels c Lyth b Rafiq 34 (87-1)

Hales c Lyth b Willey 101 (177-3)

Moores run out [Willey] 5 (94-2)

Taylor lbw b Rashid 41 (184-4)

Christian c Handscomb b Willey 24 (207-5)

Patel not out 1

Mullaney not out 17

Extras: two

Nottinghamshire Outlaws win by five wickets.