Notts tee-up Surrey final after Dan Christian fireworks down Lancashire

A tense finish was in prospect before the Australian allrounder smashed Liam Livingstone for four straight sixes to all-but finish off the run-chase

Edgbaston: Lancashire 94-4 v Nottinghamshire 95-5 - Nottinghamshire won by five wickets

Notts Outlaws will face Surrey in the 16-overs-a-side Vitality Blast final after beating Lancashire Lightning by five wickets in the second semi-final at Edgbaston. 

In an 11-overs-a-side match, Lancashire chose to bat and made 94 for four, thanks principally to Steve Croft's 33 (22 balls, two fours, two sixes) and Liam Livingstone's 22 (15 balls, two fours, one six). The Outlaws bowled collectively tidily, led by Matt Carter's 2-0-16-2 and Imad Wasim, 3-0-20-0. 

Notts then reached 95 for 5 from just 9.2 overs after a well- organised chase topped and tailed by Alex Hales' 17-ball 29 (two fours, two sixes) and Dan Christian's explosive 30 (13 balls, no fours, four sixes). Christian hit 4 consecutive sixes in the eighth over to make the pursuit a formality. 

An all-round impressive bowling performance from Notts restricted Lancashire to 94. The Lightning’s innings got off to an explosive start as openers Alex Davies and Livingstone found the boundary numerous times before Davies was caught sweeping for 15 off Samit Patel.  

A dangerous partnership for Lancashire began to flourish through Livingstone and Croft before Carter broke the 43-run stand as Livingstone was caught for 22. Carter's second wicket arrived in his next over when he trapped Dane Vilas lbw for five.  

Croft continued his impressive performance, before being caught on the boundary for 33, to give Jake Ball his first wicket, as he bowled impressively at the end of the innings. 

ECB deserve praise for delivering greatest summer as Banton is criticised for fleeing Somerset

Notts started their innings with intent, reaching a 30-run opening partnership from 16 balls between Hales and Ben Duckett before the latter skied a delivery from Saqib Mahmood for 13.  

Hales looked dominant alongside Joe Clarke, however, Callum Parkinson bowled the opener for 29 to give Lightning hope.  

Tom Hartley damaged the Outlaws further with two wickets in four balls, firstly dismissing Tom Moores for one, then dismantling Clarke’s stumps to oust the explosive batsman for 17 off eight balls.  

These two wickets brought Christian and Patel together and the former decided to take on the eighth over, from Livingstone. It cost 25 as Christian dispatched four sixes into the Hollies stand. 

Callum Parkinson bowling the Aussie for 30 off 13 balls, but nevertheless, needing just four after his departure, Wasim Imad hit the winning runs to see the Outlaws chase down 95 inside nine overs.  

For unrivalled coverage of the county season, subscribe to The Cricketer and receive 3 issues for £5