T20 Blast, Saturday review: Alex Hales just misses out on record as Notts win

19:53 · SAT August 05, 2017

A review of Saturday's action in the NatWest T20 Blast, including a win for new favourites Notts, thanks largely to Alex Hales' big-hitting.

Saturday's T20 Blast results

Nottinghamshire 184-5 (13.5 overs) beat Durham 183-7 (20 overs) by five wickets
Northamptonshire 195-4 (20 overs) beat Worcestershire 171-6 (20 overs) by 24 runs

Saturday's review

Brutal ball-striking from Alex Hales powered the Notts Outlaws to a convincing five-wicket victory over Durham Jets in the NatWest T20 Blast - and it almost produced a world record.

The England international, who scored an unbeaten 187 to help his county win the Royal London One-Day Cup final a month ago, clubbed nine fours and nine sixes in a stunning innings of 95, made from just 30 deliveries.

West Indian Chris Gayle holds the record for the fastest individual T20 century of all-time, getting to the landmark from only 30 balls.

Hales could have equalled it with a six from the final ball he faced, but his mighty assault off James Weighell sliced high into the Nottingham sky and down into the waiting gloves of wicketkeeper Stuart Poynter.

Riki Wessels made an undefeated 41 while there was a clatter of wickets before the home side got over the line in their pursuit of 184, which they reached with 6.1 overs in hand.

Notts are now the tournament's 11/2 favourites with Sky Bet with Surrey and Yorkshire both offered at 7/1.

Durham had earlier scored 183 for seven, after being asked to bat first, with Michael Richardson top-scoring with 53 and Paul Coughlin left undefeated on 42 from 25 deliveries.

Durham's defeat was their eighth in 10 matches, whilst the Outlaws now top the North Group table, despite having lost their first two matches in the competition.

Reigning champions Northamptonshire Steelbacks are second, only behind Notts on run rate, after Ben Duckett made an unbeaten 92 off 54 balls in their 24-run victory over Worcestershire Rapids at New Road.

Duckett and Steven Crook thrashed 106 in the last 7.3 overs to lead the Steelbacks to 195 for four and Worcestershire, after being up with the rate in the first half of their innings, were held to 171 for six.

Ben Sanderson took 2-29 with Richard Gleeson even more miserly, finishing with figures of 1-2 from his four overs.

Six points off the top four with only four games remaining, Worcestershire now look unlikely to make the last eight.

Northants, however, remain very much in contention and they are rated 8/1 chances to retain their crown on Finals Day next month.