Tom Hartley’s four-wicket spell seals comfortable 39-run victory after Lancashire post 208-4

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Half-centuries from Keaton Jennings, Matty Hurst and Ben McDermott helped Lancashire Lightning pile up 208 for 4 before spinner Tom Hartley starred with the ball to secure a convincing 39-run win against Notts Outlaws at Emirates Old Trafford.

McDermott produced a breathtaking late assault, smashing an unbeaten 63 off just 27 balls with four fours and four sixes. The Australian reached his fifty in only 22 deliveries, narrowly missing Lancashire’s fastest Blast half-century record.

Earlier, Jennings continued his excellent form with 51 off 31 balls, becoming the fastest player to reach 2,000 T20 runs for Lancashire, beating Liam Livingstone’s previous record by four innings. Hurst added a fluent 57 from 40 balls, striking four sixes, as the pair stitched together a crucial 97-run partnership for the second wicket.

Lancashire accelerated brilliantly in the final overs, plundering 71 runs from the last five overs. McDermott particularly targeted seamer Dillon Pennington, smashing consecutive sixes off a no-ball and the resulting free hit during a brutal finish.

Chasing 209, Nottinghamshire started strongly through Joe Clarke and George Munsey, who added 58 runs inside six overs. However, the game shifted dramatically when Hartley replaced the injured Jack Blatherwick and bowled Clarke with his very first delivery.

Munsey fell for 37 soon after, while Tom Moores, Jack Haynes and Freddie McCann all departed during the middle overs as the required rate spiraled out of control. Debutant Harry Singh impressed with key breakthroughs alongside Hartley.

Hartley finished with outstanding figures of 4 for 20, removing Benny Howell and Joe Pocklington in quick succession to extinguish any remaining hopes for the Outlaws.

Saqib Mahmood also reached a personal milestone by claiming his 50th T20 wicket for Lancashire as Nottinghamshire closed on 169 for 9, with Pennington’s unbeaten 39 proving only a late consolation.