Derbyshire Falcons posted their highest ever Twenty20 score at The 3aaa County Ground to defeat local rivals Notts Outlaws by 34 runs in a thrilling East Midlands derby.
Chesney Hughes top scored with 52 off just 29 balls, while New Zealand international Hamish Rutherford added 37 off 20 balls, to help Derbyshire post their record-breaking score of 201-7.
After a fast start from the visitors, Nathan Rimmington (3-24), Shiv Thakor (2-30) and Wes Durston (2-35) then helped the Falcons take wickets at regular intervals to dismiss Notts for 167 in the final over and seal a famous victory in front of over 4,000 supporters at Derby.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Rutherford got the Falcons off to a flyer in an opening partnership of 44 in four overs alongside Captain Durston, before the latter was first out for 11.
Rutherford continued to play some nice strokes before he was dismissed in the final over of the powerplay for a quickfire 37 from 20 balls, including five fours and one six.
Some expansive stroke play from Chesney Hughes helped his side reach an impressive 110-2 at the halfway stage, before he brought up his half century the following over from just 27 balls; five fours and three sixes.
Madsen was caught and bowled by Steven Mullaney for 13, with Chesney Hughes caught behind off Australia’s Dan Christian having scored 52 to leave the hosts 129-4 from 12 overs.
Scott Elstone was bowled for 11 to become Hilfenhaus’ third wicket, while Thakor was caught at deep midwicket for eight as Notts pegged the Falcons back, with the score on 158-6 with four overs to go.
But Alex Hughes (22), Tom Knight (18 not out) and Tom Poynton (13 not out) responded with some big shots in the final overs to help Derbyshire post an imposing 201-7.
#VICTORY! White dismisses Mullaney for four and #DCCC defeat local rivals Notts by 34 runs! #DERvNOR #P2bD pic.twitter.com/x5xcdxXLFS
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) June 26, 2015
The Falcons made a good start with the ball as England’s Alex Hales, ranked as the third best T20 player in the world, was comprehensively bowled first ball by Rimmington. But led by a brutal display of hitting by Riki Wessels, Notts rallied after their early blow and move on to 72-1 after the opening powerplay.
Derbyshire responded well through Durston who had T20 World Cup winner Michael Lumb caught in the deep for 22, before dismissing Wessels in a similar manner, after the batsman had bludgeoned 66 from 33 balls, to leave Notts 98-3 after half of their overs.
Alex Hughes bowled well to complete four overs that went for just 22, with Thakor taking advantage of the pressure that had been created by having Patel caught at cover by Durston for 21.
With the run rate rising in the face of some good Derbyshire bowling, Notts were left requiring an unlikely 45 from the last three overs. James Taylor was then caught on the boundary off Thakor for 33, before Rimmington produced a scintillating over that heralded two wickets as Derbyshire closed in on a precious victory.
Wayne White got the final wicket as Mullaney was caught at long on by Madsen for four, as Derbyshire recorded victory by 34 runs to the delight of a bumper home crowd to record their first T20 win over Notts at The 3aaa County Ground since 2005.
Derbyshire Falcons are back in action as they take on Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the NatWest T20 Blast on Sunday 5 July at Queen’s Park, Chesterfield.
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