Nottinghamshire Outlaws beat Leicestershire Foxes by 74 runs at Uptonsteel Grace Road in Leicester on June 28. This is their fifth consecutive Vitality Blast win as they move to the top of the North Group standings.
Leicestershire chose to field first, but the decision did not pay off. Nottinghamshire posted 209 for four in their 20 overs, a total that proved too steep for the hosts, who were bowled out for 135 in 17.5 overs.
Munsey Sets the Platform With Composed Half-Century
Scotland international George Munsey provided the backbone of the Nottinghamshire innings with an unbeaten 75 off 52 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes. The knock was his fourth half-century in five Blast innings and took him past 400 runs in the competition.
Joe Clarke gave the innings a strong start at the top, smashing 42 off 22 balls during a 65-run powerplay. Clarke hit six fours and two sixes before being bowled by Alex Green in the sixth over. Jack Haynes fell for five, and Tom Moores contributed 21 off 20 before holing out at long-on, also off Green, who finished with two for 27.
Rehan Ahmed’s first over went for 19 as Munsey slog-swept him for two sixes. With Nottinghamshire sitting at 137 for three in the 15th over, a total in the region of 170 looked likely.
Linde’s Blitz Takes Notts Past 200
George Linde’s cameo changed the complexion of the innings entirely. The South African all-rounder smashed 55 off just 22 balls, clearing the rope four times and hitting five fours. He brought up his half-century off 19 balls before being run out off the penultimate delivery of the innings.
Linde targeted Alex Green and Liam Trevaskis, hitting two sixes off each in the closing overs. His assault lifted Nottinghamshire from 137 for three to 209 for four — a partnership stand that shifted the match firmly in the visitors’ favour before a ball was bowled in the chase.
The margin of victory was a record for a Nottinghamshire win in this fixture.
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Leicestershire Collapse Under Pressure
Leicestershire’s chase fell apart in the opening overs. Four wickets went down for 19 runs in the first four overs. Mohammad Amir bowled Rishi Patel for one, and Nick Kelly was dismissed for a duck off Olly Stone. Mohammad Ali then took two wickets in two balls, removing Ben Cox and Ashton Turner.
Rehan Ahmed offered brief resistance with 45 off 23 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes. His dismissal of Benny Howell in the ninth over, caught at long-off attempting to clear the boundary, left Leicestershire at 58 for five with the game well beyond reach.
Liam Trevaskis departed for five, and Ben Green was bowled by Stone for 13. Ben Mike showed some late fight with 39 off 24 balls, including three sixes, but Mohammad Amir ended his resistance. Ali returned to dismiss Alex Green and seal the win, finishing with three for 20.
With the victory, Nottinghamshire lead the North Group and are firmly on course for a knockout place.
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