Birmingham Bears Vitality T20 Blast at Edgbaston Win

OUTLAWS ROMP TO EASY WIN OVER SOGGY BEARS

Notts moved to into second place in the Northern Section following a 28 run victory via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method at wet and windy Edgbaston last night. On a used wicket play got under way on time at 1900 despite a somewhat pessimistic forecast. When rain stopped play for the third and last time Notts were 86 for 2 off 11 overs needing a further 34 runs for victory. Leading the charge was Man of the Match Joe Clarke who was undefeated on 47 of 32 balls (5x4,2x6); crucially taking 24 off the third over (bowled by Henry Brookes) to put Notts well ahead of the DLS par score. Earlier Warwickshire never really got going on a sluggish pitch scoring 119 for nine off their 20 overs. Once again the trio of Notts spinners tied the tourniquet with combined figures of 12-0-65-4, with Matt Carter and Imad Wasim both picking up two wickets. Luke Wood impressed once more bowling a fiery spell up front and finishing with 3 for 24.

Notts won the toss in front of mediocre sized crowd and inserted Warwickshire with Libby coming in for Chappell. Luke Wood bowled an excellent first over from the City End, Sibley being beaten outside off stump four successive times. Sibley then got a single. Michael Burgess fell for a golden duck edging to Duckett at first slip. In the second over, Carter conceded eight including a four for Sibley off a full toss. Wood bowled the third over, 19 for one after 3 overs. Imad went for three off the fourth over. Gurney conceded nine in his first over. Sibley (25) mistimed Imad and skied to Carter at short third man, 35 for two. Warwick 37 for two at the end of the power play.

Four came off the seventh over bowled by Samit Patel. Will Rhodes straight drove Carter for 4 but was out next ball caught by Hales for 8 on the mid wicket ropes, 47 for three. Six singles came off Patel's second over. Adam Hose (4) was bowled off his pads, Carter the bowler, 56 for four. Warwick were 57 for four after 10 overs. Notts were clearly on top.

Rain stopped play

Four singles came off Patel's third over. Carter (4-0-22-2) conceded four but rain stopped play at 1942 with Warwick 65 for four after 12 overs with Hain on 21 and new signing Green on 5. After a 13 minutes stoppage play resumed with Imad immediately hit for four by Hain. Green lost his leg stump to Imad for six, 73 for five off 13 overs. Christian went for five plus a leg bye in the 14th over, his solitary over. Samit Patel (4-0-20-0) went for six in his last over including an offside four for Hain. Gurney returned and Thomson (8) was run out by Libby fielding at deep square leg as Hain went for a second run, 90 for six, eight off the over. Imad conceded six off his last over, the slow left armer having bowled 4-0-23- 2. Brookes (5) hoicked Wood to Patel at cover, 102 for seven. 

Hain unlucky

Hain hit a leg side ball from Wood for a boundary at fine leg. He departed in unlucky circumstances being run out at the non striker’s end as Gurney deflected a drive from Jeetan Patel onto the stumps, 112 for eight. Five off the over. Hain 49 off 47 balls with three fours and Sibley (25) apart the only Bear to reach double figures in a feeble batting show. Hannon-Dalby was bowled by Wood for one, 118 for nine. Warwick 119 for 9 off 20 overs. Wood was excellent throughout 4 0 24 3. Only eight boundaries were hit in the entire innings. 

The total appeared well below par.

Clarke hit the first ball of the reply for an off side four off Edwards (City End), seven off the over. Alex Hales hit the debutant overseas player off spinner Chris Green for an off side four, 14 for 0 off 2 overs. Brookes’ first ball was hit for the first six of the game over square leg by Joe Clarke. The next ball went for a leg side boundary. Clarke then hit consecutive offside fours. A massive six over square leg finished the over, 24 off the over. Only the weather could stop Notts now. Hales pulled Jeetan Patel for four. Patel bowled five wides, 10 off the over. With the rain falling, Hales was caught behind by Burgess off Hannon-Dalby for 11, 48 for one after 4.3 overs. 

Brief shower

Thomson came on from the Pavilion End and Duckett hit him for 4 as a brief shower stopped play at 2106 with Notts 54 for one off 5.4 overs. Play resumed four minutes later. Duckett reverse swept Thomson for four, Notts 58 for one after six overs.

Hannon-Dalby conceded six off his second over. Jeetan Patel went for four singles off the eighth over. Clarke hit Hannon-Dalby for a boundary through fine leg. Duckett then hit a four through square leg, 79 for one off nine overs. Duckett was bowled by Patel for 16, 80 for two. Three off Patel's over. 

Strike three - Rain ends the match

Rain stopped play for the third and final time at 2132 with Notts 86 for two off 11 overs with Clarke on 47 and Moores on 2. The game was called off shortly after. Notts had gained a convincing victory following a very professional performance. Warwickshire as at Trent Bridge looked a poor outfit having being ravaged by injuries. Credit should also be given to umpires Lloyd and Debenham who kept the game moving despite the frequent squally showers. Notts travel to Chester-le-Street tomorrow. MAG