Jennings, Hurst, McDermott fifties overpower Outlaws
Lancashire Secure Convincing Victory Over Nottinghamshire
Three fifties by Keaton Jennings, Matty Hurst, and Ben McDermott propelled Lancashire to 208-4 before four wickets by Tom Hartley sealed a convincing 39-run victory against the Notts Outlaws in the opening home Vitality Blast match at a sundrenched Emirates Old Trafford.
A Strong Batting Performance
McDermott reached his half-century off just 22 balls, two shy of equaling the Lightning record, after Jennings became the fastest player to score 2,000 runs for Lancashire and Matty Hurst hit his highest score of the season. Jennings and Hurst hit 97 runs off 10.2 overs for the second wicket to overcome the early loss of Michael Jones for 1 after skipper Jennings had called correctly at the toss.
A Turning Point in the Match
The turning point of the match came in an unusual way when Joe Clarke was bowled by Tom Hartley for 21, the first ball from the left-arm spinner after he had replaced the injured Jack Blatherwick after one ball of the sixth over. Munsey fell for 37 when caught by Jennings tracking back from extra cover off George Balderson, and Tom Moores then pulled Balderson straight into the hands of Hartley on the midwicket boundary for 6 to leave the Outlaws 73 for 3 after 8 overs.
A Dominant Bowling Performance
As the required run rate increased, wickets started to tumble with debutant Harry Singh involved in the next three to fall. Jack Haynes skied Singh to Hartley at midwicket for 14 and Freddie McCann did likewise to Singh off Hartley for 13. George Linde then found Singh at long-off off Chris Green to depart for 14 to leave Notts on 111 for 6, still needing 97 off 34 balls.
A Convincing Victory
The outcome was in little doubt by then, and two wickets in three balls by Hartley, who produced an outstanding 4 for 20, removed both Benny Howell and Joe Pocklington in the 16th over. Saqib Mahmood took his 50th T20 wicket for Lancashire when Farhan Ahmed picked out Jennings at long-off for 7 as the Outlaws finished well short on 169 for 9 with Dillon Pennington 39 not out.
