Nottinghamshire Outlaws end Northants Steelbacks' T20 title defence

The Nottinghamshire Outlaws ended the Northants Steelbacks' T20 title defence with a 22-run win at Wantage Road on Wednesday.

Riki Wessels was the star of the show for Notts, hitting 64 in a total of 174 for six, combining with Samit Patel for 102 for the third wicket as his teammate made 42.

It was an evening to forget for Northants all-rounder David Willey, whose three overs went for 49.

Steven Crook (3-19) and Mohammad Azharullah (3-31) posed the biggest threat for the home attack, while Ajmal Shahzad (2-29) had the Steelbacks 9-2 to put them under further pressure.

Kyle Coetzer's 67 proved little consolation for the hosts, who ended on 152-7.

The result secures a place in the quarter-finals for the Outlaws, who face Yorkshire in Leeds tomorrow in their final group match.