CLYDESDALE BANK 40 GROUP C, Trent Bridge:
Notts 257-7 (40 ovs) beat Durham 254-8 (40 ovs) by three runs
Match scorecard

Chris Rushworth had hit his first ball for six

Nottinghamshire ensured their CB 40 semi-final hopes will go to the final Group C game after they held their nerve to beat Durham by three runs.

Samit Patel hit 75 and Chris Read 66 not out as Notts piled up 257-7.

Durham were always in the hunt thanks to Ben Harmison (46), Gordon Muchall (47) and Ben Stokes (39).

But, with five needed off the final ball to win, Chris Rushworth could only take a single as Durham ultimately fell short on 254-8.

Nottinghamshire now know that victory over Warwickshire at Edgbaston on Saturday will guarantee them a place in the last four.

But a semi-final berth looked a long way off after Alex Hales and Adam Voges were both run out in the opening 13 balls.

606: DEBATE Won by 3 runs, thank God! Ricky_Rabbit

Patel helped repair the damage with a partnership of 95 with younger brother Akhil, before Read's quick scoring helped his side set what appeared to be a decent target.

Durham made a flying start to their run chase, hitting 65 off their first 10 overs for the loss of Phil Mustard and Mark Stoneman, both to Ryan Sidebottom.

Harmison and Muchall then batted safely in a stand of 86 before Stokes clubbed three sixes to put Durham right in the hunt.

Some further lusty hitting from Gareth Breese and Scott Borthwick then set up the thrilling finale, but after hitting his first ball for six Rushworth could not repeat the trick off the final ball.

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