The only thing that the Outlaw’s captain got wrong on a Friday night in Derby was calling wrong on the toss. Falcons skipper Gary Wilson won itand asked the visitors to bat first. From that point on the night belonged to the Outlaws as they secured their third consecutive victory in the Vitality T20 Blast this season, beating their local rivals by 39 runs under the Duckworth Lewis Stern Method.
That leaves them in second place in the North Group and hot on the heels of the impressive Worcestershire Rapids. The Falcons remain in eighth, one place above their winless counterparts the Northamptonshire Steelbacks.
On a night when Derby saw its first rain for what seems like months, it was raining boundaries for the Nottinghamshire Outlaws as they amassed 175-8 in a rain-shortened 19 overs, with Dan Christian making an excellent 62 off 40 balls ably supported by Tom Moores who also scored a half century, his 50 coming up off 25 balls and included 3 fours and 4 sixes, to go with the four 4s and three 6s in Christian’s knock.
There were also eight other boundary fours scored and one more six as after having been asked to bat, the Outlaws set an imposing total, only failing to find the boundary in four of their 19 overs.
With the rain stopping it allowed the Outlaws innings to be completed and the Falcons innings to begin, the boundary precipitation had also abated as the Derbyshire batsmen struggled to find the boundary with the regularity of their Nottinghamshire counterparts. In fact the four boundary-less overs had been equalled by Derbyshire in the seventh over. Samit Patel came into the attack and went for just three singles from his first over.
The key difference between the sides was the Outlaws’ ability to keep the run-rate ticking over despite losing wickets. Twice overseas paceman Lockie Ferguson took two wickets in an over for the home side, but the Outlaws continued to score consistently at nine an over, the loss of wickets having little impact with the incoming batsman picking up where the previous had left off.
The Falcons, in comparison, lost regular wickets throughout the innings which strangled the life out of the innings with only Callum MacLeod looking comfortable at the crease and able to score freely, making a well made 48 off 38 balls including three 4s and two 6s in a losing cause.
The Falcons will not have long to mull over their third defeat in a week, as they travel straight to Old Trafford for a game tomorrow, looking to avenge their defeat by the Lightning last Friday night. There may be changes to a Falcon’s team looking low on confidence and fresh faces and new ideas may give the side the push they need.
Expect to see a debut for leg spinner Matt Mckiernan, who has impressed in the seconds and can also add useful lower order runs. The Outlaws can return to Trent Bridge and enjoy a long weekend, before they welcome the Durham Jets who have only tasted victory once so far this season and Notts will be hoping that doesn’t change as they look to catch the Rapids and cement their place in the top four qualifying spots.
Man of the Match
When you take 3-34 from four overs and score 62 runs you would expect to be named Man of the Match and Dan Christian was quite rightly named as such. He was pivotal in setting Derbyshire the total which proved beyond their reach and then just as pivotal in ensuring they didn’t reach it, taking three wickets and leading his side effectively in the field. It was the complete performance from the skipper, who set the tone for his side and should enjoy his champagne this evening, he deserves it.
