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Outlaws play the 'perfect game'

Mick Newell believes the Notts Outlaws produced almost a "perfect game" to thrash Northamptonshire Steelbacks and roar into finals day of the Twenty20 Cup.

His side smashed 213-6 - a club record - in front of a record home crowd of just under 12,000 at Trent Bridge last night.

David Hussey hit 71, Samit Patel 65 and Stephen Fleming 39 as the Steelbacks were put to the sword, finishing 63 runs short in the quarter-final clash.

Notts now join Essex, Surrey and Leicestershire for the last four showdown at Trent Bridge on Saturday, August 12.

Director of cricket Newell said: "As a coach you want your team to play a perfect game and, give or take one catch, that was the perfect game so I cannot have many complaints.

"We did 99.9% of things right and I am very proud of what we achieved. We might have to better that if we are to win it because we are going to play some good sides.

"It is great and will be really good to play here again on finals day. It will be a sell-out but maybe the crowd will be a little more neutral that day, though I'm sure a lot of Notts supporters have already got their tickets."

Newell said the massive crowd played a big part in last night's win and he hoped the performance would attract new fans to other forms of the game.

He said: "For a lot of people I know it was maybe their first time at Trent Bridge and to come and see us play so well is very encouraging and will hopefully get them back.

"They enjoyed it and can come and see a different game this season and then come back for Twenty20 next year.

"It is going to be difficult to have two games on finals day but it is on our home ground and it is nice to keep it here.

"We could not have batted any better than that. For people to hit the ball as cleanly as they did from the word go with Stephen Fleming then Samit and David Hussey was great. There were so many sixes on what was a big ground and that was very pleasing."

And the extra income from the quarter-final is also a boost.

Newell added: "It was a game that does not go in the budget so this is bonus money for the club. Hopefully, that will be reflected in bonus money for the players."

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