EDGBASTON — Tom Moores delivered a breathtaking 74 not out off just 32 balls to guide Nottinghamshire to a last-ball victory against Birmingham Bears in a thrilling T20 Blast encounter at Edgbaston. Chasing a daunting 191, Notts looked down and out at 90/5 before Moores' heroics turned the game on its head, sealing a four-wicket win with a boundary off the final delivery.
The match, played in front of a packed crowd, was a rollercoaster of emotions as Moores smashed six sixes and five fours in his whirlwind knock. His partnership of 87 runs with Lyndon James (42 off 28) proved decisive, dragging Notts back from the brink after the Bears' bowlers had dominated the middle overs. "It's one of those nights you dream about as a kid," Moores said post-match. "To do it in front of this atmosphere, against a quality side, makes it extra special."
The Bears' Strong Start
Birmingham Bears posted 190/6 after being put in to bat, thanks largely to opener Rob Yates' 65 off 41 balls and a late cameo from Chris Benjamin (34* off 18). Yates anchored the innings with seven boundaries and two sixes, while Benjamin's explosive finish—including three sixes in the final two overs—gave the Bears what appeared to be a competitive total.
Notable contributions:
- Rob Yates: 65 (41 balls, 7 fours, 2 sixes)
- Chris Benjamin: 34* (18 balls, 1 four, 3 sixes)
- Dan Mousley: 28 (22 balls) – provided stability in the middle overs
Notts' Rocky Chase
Nottinghamshire's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost Alex Hales (9) and Joe Clarke (12) early. The Bears' seamers, led by Hasan Ali (2/32) and George Garton (2/40), kept the pressure on, reducing Notts to 90/5 in the 12th over. At that stage, the required rate had climbed above 12 an over, and the game seemed all but lost for the visitors.
"We were in control for 90% of the game," admitted Bears captain Alex Davies. "But Moores played an unbelievable innings. Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up."
The Moores-James Revival
The turning point came when Moores and James began their counterattack. Moores targeted the short boundaries with ruthless efficiency, particularly taking a liking to Jake Lintott's left-arm spin, which he dispatched for 24 runs in a single over. James played the perfect supporting role, rotating strike and hitting the odd boundary to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Key moments in the partnership:
- 14th over: Moores hits Lintott for 6, 6, 4, 6 – 24 runs in total
- 17th over: James smashes Garton for back-to-back boundaries
- 19th over: Moores reaches fifty off just 23 balls
The Dramatic Finale
With 19 needed off the last over, Moores kept his cool against Hasan Ali. A six off the second ball brought the equation down to 10 off four, but two dot balls ramped up the pressure. A boundary off the fifth delivery left Notts needing two off the last ball, which Moores duly dispatched through midwicket to spark wild celebrations.
"I just backed myself to hit the gaps," Moores said of the final over. "Hasan's a world-class bowler, but I knew if I got it in my areas, I could make it count."
What This Means for the Tournament
The win keeps Nottinghamshire's hopes alive in the North Group, moving them to third in the table with three wins from five games. For Birmingham Bears, it was a bitter pill to swallow after dominating large portions of the game, but they remain well-placed in second.
Looking ahead:
- Notts face Derbyshire next – a must-win to stay in playoff contention
- Bears take on table-toppers Lancashire in a top-of-the-table clash
- Moores' form could be pivotal for Notts' campaign moving forward
Nottinghamshire coach Peter Moores (Tom's father) praised his son's composure: "He's worked incredibly hard on his game, and tonight was the reward. To do it under that pressure shows his character."
The match will be remembered as one of the classics of this year's T20 Blast, showcasing the drama and excitement that makes the tournament so beloved. For Tom Moores, it was a career-defining performance that announced him as one of the most dangerous finishers in the competition.