Cricket

Nottinghamshire Outlaws emerged victorious in a thrilling Vitality Blast encounter against Derbyshire Falcons at Trent Bridge, avenging their earlier defeat at Derby. The eight-run triumph keeps Notts' hopes of reaching the quarter-finals alive, despite their challenging start to the season.Joe Clarke, still seeking his maiden half-century of the campaign, led the Outlaws' batting charge with a brisk 47 off 28 deliveries. Tom Moores (31 off 27) and Matt Montgomery (28 not out off 31) provided valuable contributions in the latter stages, setting a target of 174 for the Falcons.Derbyshire's response was spearheaded by Aneurin Donald's blistering 26-ball 52 and Wayne Madsen's steady 40 off 35. However, the Outlaws' bowlers, led by New Zealand quick Ben Lister (2 for 24), maintained a disciplined performance, ensuring that the Falcons fell short of their target.The match was not without its controversies. Clarke was initially given out caught at short third man but stood his ground, arguing that the ball had not been cleanly taken. After a heated exchange with the umpires, he was eventually persuaded to leave the field.The Falcons' chase began promisingly, with Donald's explosive hitting propelling them to 70 for 1 in the powerplay. However, Liam Patterson-White's superb spell, which included the wicket of Donald, swung the momentum in Notts' favor.Madsen kept the Falcons in contention with a defiant 40, but Ross Whiteley's dismissal off Lister and Patel's unfortunate run-out left them needing 19 runs from the final six balls. The Outlaws held their nerve, securing an eight-run victory and keeping their slim hopes of qualification alive.

Derbyshire Falcons secured a thrilling 24-run victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks in a rain-affected North Group match at Derby. Aneurin Donald's blistering innings of 68 off 26 balls, including eight sixes, propelled Derbyshire to a competitive total of 123 for 3 in 11 overs before a thunderstorm halted play.Matthew Breetzke played a superb knock for Steelbacks, scoring 94 off 54 balls and sharing an 81-run partnership with Sikandar Raza. However, Derbyshire's bowlers, led by Daryn Dupavillon's 3-43, restricted Steelbacks to 193 for 8.With rain reducing the target to 187 from 19 overs, Donald's explosive start gave Derbyshire the upper hand. He smashed sixes off David Willey, Ben Sanderson, and Raphy Weatherall, reaching his half-century in just 19 balls. David Lloyd (33) and Cam Fletcher kept the momentum going, ensuring Derbyshire stayed ahead of the required run rate.Steelbacks began cautiously, scoring only six runs in the first two overs. Breetzke then took charge, hitting three fours off Pat Brown. Ricardo Vasconcelos was dismissed by Dupavillon, but Breetzke continued to impress, pulling Zak Chappell for six.After a brief rain delay, Breetzke and Ravi Bopara steadied the innings before Bopara was caught by Ross Whiteley. Breetzke and Raza then accelerated, plundering 79 runs in five overs. Breetzke reached his half-century and surpassed his previous T20 best of 80, hitting three consecutive fours off Dupavillon.Brown and Chappell restricted Steelbacks in the final overs, taking four wickets and conceding only 11 runs. Derbyshire's chase got off to a flying start, with Donald hitting three sixes in the first five overs. He reached his half-century in 19 balls, but was dismissed in the seventh over.Despite Bopara and Patel's dismissals, Derbyshire had done enough to secure the victory before the rain intervened.