9.25pm: We've had couple of duff games, and this wasn't looking a classic when Notts were eight down and 30 from victory. But what was it someone said? Every ball counts. The Hundred rumbles on, and we'll just try to keep up. The report will be up shortly, and we'll be back for another double-header tomorrow: Welsh Fire vs Southern Brave in Cardiff's debut in the competition. Until then, hang in there, keep the faith, and remember you can always finish it like Hales. Cheerio!
9.15pm: What a finish! Now that's a low-scoring thriller... Superchargers cobbled together a total, then reduced Rockets to 20 for 3 in the Powerplay, and 58 for 6 after 58. But Alex Hales was dropped for six by Ben Stokes when he had 16 off 25 - a ball that was rebowled after Stokes argued for a dead ball when Hales took a single while a pitch invader was on the field - and he proceeded to clobber 24 off nine and take his side home in breathless fashion. Mention for Matt Carter, with two crucial boundaries (to go with 2 for 17). Mention for Rashid Khan, who took 3 for 31 and then blasted 25 off 12. All of which secures Rockets' second win, while leaving Superchargers short-changed in another dramatic finish. Phew!
Rashid Khan is the Hero: "Very good win for us, everyone contributed, that's very good to see. Two points and on to the next game. That's 100-ball, everything happens so quickly, we had that believe in ourselves that 60-70 in the last five, with a clear mind, we can chase it down. When I went in, I just wanted to score 25-30 quick runs. [Allrounder?] I think so, people don't put me in that category but I want to prove I am. I always have that belief in myself, always working on my skills in the nets. Happy to get wickets but I bowled a few bad balls. Not that happy with how I bowled. I will think about that, try to come back stronger. You have to be very clear, go and express the skills you have."
This game is falling apart in front of Stokes' eyes
Ben Bradshaw: "Stokes is having a mare of a game personally." Yep, that's about right
Last ten, 16 needed and Hales is on for a redemption song. If he can get on strike... Stokes has bowled out, Willey is back
Tonight's attendance is 11,483, by the way
END OF OVER:18 | 12 Runs | TR-M: 117/8 (16 runs required from 10 balls, RR: 6.50, RRR: 8.00)
- Alex Hales33 (32b)
- Matthew Carter6 (5b)
- Ben Stokes3.5-0-24-2
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman3.5-0-24-2
"Alex Hales batting through the innings and currently 26 off 29 - this is definitely not T20!!" You can say that again, Dezz
Stokes back from the Pavilion End for the 18th set
END OF OVER:17 | 4 Runs 1 Wkt | TR-M: 105/8 (28 runs required from 15 balls, RR: 6.17, RRR: 9.33)
- Matthew Carter1 (2b)
- Alex Hales27 (30b)
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman3.5-0-24-2
- Adil Rashid3.5-0-27-2
The RRPB still hasn't reached 2, so Hales will feel he just needs to take it deep and go big. Not that anyone has found that easy tonight
Hales has got the strike back, but he's still going at less than a run a ball
Matt Carter is out at No.10
L Wood lbw b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 4 (12m 4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 100.00
Mujeeb is back, Rockets still clinging on
END OF OVER:16 | 11 Runs | TR-M: 101/7 (32 runs required from 20 balls, RR: 6.31, RRR: 8.00)
- Alex Hales26 (29b)
- Luke Wood2 (2b)
- Adil Rashid3.5-0-27-2
- Ben Stokes2.5-0-12-2
Only the second boundary of Hales' knock
Sounds like there was a pitch invader while that ball was being bowled. Stokes is remonstrating with the umpires about something. Hales has now returned to the striker's end, and that delivery has been declared dead ball... Hmmm
tossed up very wide as Hales trots out and tries to narrow the angle, pats it through mid-off for one more
Rashid is gone, so Adil Rashid returns from the Radcliffe Road End
END OF OVER:15 | 5 Runs 1 Wkt | TR-M: 90/7 (43 runs required from 25 balls, RR: 6.00, RRR: 8.60)
- Alex Hales16 (25b)
- Luke Wood1 (1b)
- Ben Stokes2.5-0-12-2
- Adil Rashid2.5-0-16-2