Durham Dynamos lost to Notts Outlaws by 41 runs ,chasing 211, at Trent Bridge on Friday despite a valiant effort with the bat
Michael Lumb (36) propelled the Outlaws to 44 without loss before Ben Stokes caught him off Mitchell Claydon in the fifth over.
It was Claydon who claimed the other two wickets of the innings, breaking the 142 run partnership between Alex Hales (88) and Riki Wessels (53) in the 18th over with the former caught by Ben Stokes and the latter on the ropes by Herschelle Gibbs.
Notts posted a total of 210 for the Dynamos chase down which proved difficult after both openers were dismissed within an over of each other. Gibbs was the first Outlaws victim after he was run out for 9 with the Dynamos reduced to 21-1 in the fifth over.
Phil Mustard hit the ball directly to James Taylor off the bowling of Darren Pattison and was dismissed on 20, bringing Johann Myburgh to the crease to join Stokes.
The Dynamos were 82-3 after Myburgh was bowled by Samit Patel for 16 in the 11th over but Stokes was undeterred and continued with his big hitting, reaching the fifty mark which included three sixes in three deliveries.
Stokes 37 run partnership with Dale Benkenstein was ended when he was caught by Andrew Carter off Pattison for 56.
As the required run rate crept up the Dynamos fell to 134-5 after skipper Benkenstein was caught by Adam Voges off Carter for 17, leaving the Dynamos 77 runs short of the total.
The same pair combined again three balls later to dismiss Gordon Muchall (5).
Durham were 142-7 after Gareth Breese was caught by Patel off Stephen Mullaney for 7 with than three overs of the innings remaining.
At the close of play Head Coach Geoff Cook said, “We knew it was a pretty good wicket, we were expecting a strong batting side and for them to come hard at us, which they did. It’s the nature of twenty20. Apart from the taking wicket factor we were reasonably in control until overs fifteen and sixteen which really tilted the balance.
“After 13 overs we were pretty much in the same state they were, but two wickets worse and their twp players went on t o get the scores and ours didn’t. We’ve played some OK cricket, we’ve just got to recognise these situations where you hang in the game and give yourself a chance of winning and have the skill and tactical nouse to see it through.”
The Dynamos next home game is Sunday 1 July when they face Leicestershire Foxes (2.30pm start). Tickets can be purchased on the gate priced at £20 for adults and £5 for juniors.