Wessels, Sammy star in Notts victory

[JUGRAJ SINGH]

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Nottinghamshire 175 for 7 (Wessels 67, Patel 46) beat Durham 160 for 6 (Muchall 42*) by 15 runs

A bristling half-century from Riki Wessels and an inspirational debut performance from West Indies international Darren Sammy helped Nottinghamshire to a 15-run victory over Durham in their NatWest T20 Blast match at Trent Bridge.

Wessels made 67 from 41 balls - including four fours and five maximums - and shared in a 100-run partnership with Samit Patel, who added 46.

Sammy, who joined Notts for a short four-match stint, altered the complexion of the afternoon by removing Calum MacLeod and Paul Collingwood, when both were set, to claim figures of 2 for 31.

The home side posted a competitive 175 for 7 after being invited to bat first with Durham's Usman Arshad returning 2 for 19 with the ball.

The visitors' response floundered after losing openers Mark Stoneman and Phil Mustard cheaply as they closed on 160 for six with Gordon Muchall finishing on 42 not out - although the Jets never really recovered from Sammy's twin-strike in the 11th over.

When Notts batted at the start of the afternoon, Alex Hales, on his return from IPL duty with the Mumbai Indians, only made seven before falling to a catch on the leg-side fence. He had hit bowler Paul Coughlin for six in the same vicinity just two balls earlier.

Brendan Taylor was dismissed by a sharp reflex catch by bowler Arshad but that brought Wessels and Patel together and they applied pressure through the heart of the innings, especially to Ryan Pringle, who went for 19 in his second over.

Wessels' 50 came up from only 34 balls faced in an innings laced with a mix of sheer aggression and cunning improvisation.

Patel became Coughlin's second victim as he lobbed gently to cover and then Keaton Jennings - on as the sixth bowler - induced Wessels to hit firmly to John Hastings at short third man.

James Taylor was caught behind cheaply and Steven Mullaney was run out looking for a quick single to mid-off but Sammy did not disappoint the youngsters holding up the six placards as he clubbed Hastings high over deep midwicket on his way to a quickfire 19.

Durham's reply got off to a poor start with Stoneman falling for nought in the second over helping Jake Ball into the hands of Hales at deep midwicket. Fellow opener Mustard tried to get after Luke Fletcher but failed to clear the back-peddling Patel at mid-off.

MacLeod and Collingwood rebuilt the innings with a threatening stand of 47 in six overs but then perished to successive deliveries from Sammy. MacLeod had made 32 but then top-edged the St Lucian to fine leg and Collingwood, who scored 30, was bowled trying to whip to leg. Hastings was unable to provide a muscular response as he spooned Mullaney to point.

Ryan Pringle scored 25 from just 12 balls as he added 61 for the sixth wicket with Muchall but the required run-rate had spiralled out of control by that stage and his dismissal by Fletcher, who took two for 29, meant 24 runs were still needed from the final over.

Despite the loss, Durham remain top of the North Group, with six points from their five matches played, while Nottinghamshire have won two and lost one of their first three fixtures.
 
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