Notts lose dull NCL encounter
by Steve Williams, 15th June 2003

On a gloriously sunny Father's Day at Trent Bridge today, Durham Dynamos held off a spirited tail order challenge to defeat the Outlaws by just 7 runs.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Durham got off to the worst possible start, losing the wicket of Peng to Smith in the first over. Ably supported by Logan, the opening bowlers reduced the visitors to 49-3, who were then indebted to Love and Pratt who added 72 for the 4th wicket.

Wickets fell steadily thereafter, due mainly to a fine spell from McGill who ended with 3-26 from his 9 overs. With Smith also ending with a 3 wicket haul, Love's 55 from 72 balls was vital to Durham's total of 183 all out. Fifteen wides did not help Notts, as extras were next top score with 34.

This seemed a modest total for Notts even without the injured Cairns, but Afzaal went early, caught behind yet again.Then up stepped Neil Killeen who dismissed Gallian, Pietersen and Shafayat in successive overs, to leave Notts in disarray at 40-4. Welton and Franks then started to repair the damage until both fell with the score on 84.

At this stage the game looked lost, but Clough and Noon kept the scoreboard moving with with some quick running. The run rate kept climbing however and Notts were left with just too much to do, as Killeen came back to claim the last two wickets to earn the MOM award with 5-22. Clough's unbeaten 42 from 51 balls was a career best - a valiant effort, but the earlier batsmen had not done enough.

Notts take on Lancashire tomorrow night (5-30 start) in the first ever Twenty20 match at Trent Bridge.