Tuesday 9 August 2016 10:47, UK
Nottinghamshire became the first side to book a place in the NatWest t20 Blast semi-finals as they beat Essex by 39 runs.
The Outlaws posted 162-7 in front of their own supporters and bowled out Essex for 123 inside 19 overs thanks in part to the outstanding Samit Patel's 4-20.
Patel's slow left-arm accounted for three of the visitors' top four in the space of four balls across two overs as they fell from 65-0 to 87-4.
But the key dismissal was an unfortunate one for Essex as Jesse Ryder was run-out at the non-striker's end having made 47 from 30 balls, Steven Mullaney getting a touch on a ball driven back his way.
Mullaney was almost as impressive as Patel, varying his pace and going for just 16 in four overs which included the wickets of Dan Lawrence and Graham Napier.
Napier had earlier been the pick of his side's bowlers along with Ryan ten Doeschate, the pair sharing five wickets for a combined 39 from their eight overs.
Greg Smith top-scored for Notts with a 33-ball 50, with Riki Wessels (36), Patel (23) and Dan Christian (21) all offering useful support.
