Terrific Taylor inspires Outlaws

James Taylor struck an unbeaten half-century as Nottinghamshire Outlaws completed a 22-run victory over Yorkshire Vikings in the NatWest T20 Blast at Trent Bridge.

In a low-scoring contest the Outlaws could only post 143 for nine, after electing to bat first, with captain Taylor scoring 52 not out off 38 balls with five fours and a six. Veteran left-arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom returned figures of 3-24 for the visitors.

Yorkshire could only muster 121 for nine in reply, with Luke Fletcher taking 3-21.

The Vikings lost their way once pace had been taken off the ball during their pursuit of 144. Despite losing Aaron Finch and Andrew Gale during the powerplay overs, they were still in control until Steven Mullaney and Samit Patel entered the attack.

Mullaney did not pick up a wicket but only conceded 17 runs in his four overs, as well as executing a fine turn and throw to run out Adam Lyth off his bowling.

Patel, who ended with 2-19, induced Jonny Bairstow into a rush of blood, which saw him held by Alex Hales at long-on, and then removed Alex Lees for a run-a-ball 37.

Tim Bresnan and Adil Rashid added 43 in five overs to reignite hopes of a Yorkshire triumph but the rate was always climbing.

The 19th over effectively settled the contest, with Harry Gurney having both Bresnan and Richard Pyrah taken at deep midwicket by James Franklin in the space of only three deliveries.

Two Fletcher yorkers accounted for both Rashid and Oliver Robinson, to complete the Outlaws' fifth win out of their last six home meetings against the White Rose. 

Earlier in the afternoon, Sidebottom, returning to one of his old hunting grounds, struck in the first over of the match, removing former Yorkshire batsman Phil Jaques for a duck. The Australian had tried to open the face but only succeeded in guiding the ball into the hands of wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.

Hales hit Bresnan for a huge six but then drilled the next delivery firmly back into the hands of the bowler.

Riki Wessels, off the back of four consecutive scores of 50 or more, then hoisted Pyrah to extra-cover, all inside the first 4.2 overs.

Notts looked to be getting back on course as Patel picked up three boundaries in quick succession but he then backed away, to give himself room, and was bowled by a top-spinner from Azeem Rafiq.

Franklin, on his Nottinghamshire debut, made a fine impression as he bludgeoned 27 from 23 deliveries, with two fours and a maximum.

He helped add 48 in six overs with his skipper but then holed out off Bresnan.

Gale entrusted the final four overs of the Outlaws innings to the experienced Sidebottom and youngster Robinson and both were rewarded with crucial wickets, all thanks to catches in the deep.

Sidebottom removed Chris Read cheaply and responded to being hit for six by Ajmal Shahzad by dismissing him next delivery.

Robinson, who finished with figures of 2-25, removed Mullaney and Fletcher but then saw Taylor hit him down the ground to reach his fifty from the final ball of the innings.

The win consolidates the Outlaws' third-place position in the North Group, two points behind both Worcestershire Rapids and Lancashire Lightning, with Yorkshire, in fifth, three points further adrift but with two games in hand.

Nottinghamshire seamer Fletcher felt the early removal of hard-hitting Australia batsman Finch was key.

"It was massive for us to get Aaron Finch so early; I just tried to cramp him for room and was a bit lucky in that he worked it straight into the hands of Harry Gurney," he said.

"Samit (Patel) and Mull (Mullaney) were immense for us, really brought their run-rate down and kept us in it and then I was pleased to come back and get those two wickets at the end. I spend hours practising bowling yorkers with our coach Andy Pick and it was nice to it all pay off when it mattered.

"This was a huge win for us and keeps our momentum going."

Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie added: "This was one which got away. We performed really well in the field and bowled extremely tidily but our batters have held their hands up.

"We never got going and were not positive enough with the bat. We lost our way in the middle overs and we must learn from our mistakes."