Leicestershire Foxes at Grace Road NWT20 Blast

OUTLAWS ROBBED OF OPPORTUNITY

Notts pass 200 again but game is abandoned at the half-way stage

After posting an above par target, Notts were denied by the weather at Grace Road last night. Heavy drizzle started during the closing stages of the Notts innings and lasted an hour. After it had stopped there was an attempt to start a five over game at 2127 with Leicester needing a gettable 68 off five overs. Conditions did not look good, the outfield was belatedly roped and water was gushing up. About five minutes before play was due to start very light rain began to fall and it was enough convince umpires Millns and Bailey to call a halt. A wise decision, a restarted game would have been farcical despite the presence the heavy influence of Sky TV.

Leicestershire won the toss and inserted Notts who announced an unchanged line up. The crowd was poor, numbering around a couple of thousand. Dieter Klein bowled the first over from the Pavilion End bowling into a brisk breeze and conceded seven. Callum Parkinson slow left armers went for 12 in over two including a legside six for Wessels. Klein was hit for two fours by Hales then was hit for a massive six over deep mid wicket off a no ball, Notts 36 for 0 off three overs. Captain Clint McKay replaced Parkinson from the Bennett End and Wessels dispatched him for four and then hit him for sixes over long off and then over backward square leg, the latter landing in the Milligan Road outside the ground. The over had cost 18 runs. Pillans went for 15 in over five two fours for Hales and one for Wessels. Parkinson came back and went for 13 as Notts stood at 82 for 0 at the end of the power play. Ackermann's off spin went for four singles as at last Leicester put a brake on the scoring. Delport came on bowling dibbly dobblers and Wessels edged him for four, there followed two byes and five wides. Notts 98 for 0 after 8 overs. Hales reached 50 off 26 balls with a couple off Ackermann but then was stumped next ball by Luke Ronchi, 104 for one after nine overs. Hales 51 with eight fours and one six. Wessels got to 50 off 29 balls with a six over long on off Delport, 13 off the over. Ackermann was hit straight back over his head as Wessels picked up his fifth six. Moores repeated the feat two balls later. The eleven over score 134 for one , 17 off the over. The brisk Pillans bowled a good over conceding five. Moores using the wind to his advantage hit Parkinson for six but perished next ball "caught" at long on low down by Ali. The fielder though grounded the ball taking the catch, logic would suggest he was aware of this fact. Moores had made 19, 145 for two. Wessels reverse swept Parkinson was caught by McKay as he went for 63 (5 x 5; 5 x 6) off 37 balls, Notts now 147 for three off 13 overs. Taylor played on to his leg stump to depart for a duck, Klein the bowler, 152 for four. Patel then went first ball comprehensively bowled by Klein, Notts now in a slight pickle on 152 for five off 14. Parkinson conceded six singles to finish with two for 39. Twelve came off Klein's last over the South African two for 41. Mullaney (14) hit McKay straight down the throat of Wells at long on, 170 for six. McKay went for eight. Leicestershire were poor in the outfield, for the third time in the innings a one was turned into four by fielders fumbling, Christian profited this time. Pillans going for 16 off the over. McKay went for nine off the penultimate over. Pillans picked up first wicket as Christian was caught at third man for 33, 203 for seven. Steady rain was now falling as Sodhi was out off the last ball for two. Notts 210 for eight. Root 14 not out off nine balls. Hales and Wessels were undoubted stars of the innings getting the innings off to a brilliant start. The boundaries unlike at Trent Bridge were pushed out.

The total was at least 10 runs above par if not more, but the rain was the only winner. A very frustrating point lost for Notts they now lie fifth in the Northern section, let's hope for better weather at Derby on Friday. MAG