Captain's innings steers Notts into semis

A captain's innings of 117 not out by Darren Bicknell inspired Nottinghamshire to a six-wicket win over Warwickshire and a place in the B&H semi-finals for the first time since 1990.

Set 213 to win, the home side reached their target with 3.5 overs to spare.

Bicknell and Guy Welton had laid the platform for the victory with an opening stand of 41 in 11 overs before Welton hit across the line and lost his off stump to Dougie Brown's first ball of the match.

Greg Blewett joined Bicknell and marked his arrival at the crease with a legside boundary off Brown but it was the opener's driving that repeatedly pierced the field and put the visitors on the defensive.

Bicknell reached his half-century (83 mins 71 balls 7 fours) in the 22nd over but then lost his partner shortly afterwards, Mo Sheikh trapping the Australian lbw with a full-pitched delivery. Sheikh's joy was short-lived though as Paul Johnson hit him twice to the offside fence.

Johnson had clearly been sent in to increase the tempo but made only 18 before trying to guide Brown to third man and instead edged the ball to Keith Piper.

Usman Afzaal, who made 94 in Sunday's match between the two teams, continued in the same vein and helped add 50 in 11 overs as Notts closed in on their target.

There were no nervous 90s from Bicknell - four boundaries in five balls raced him to his ton (157mins 123 balls 14 fours).

With 30 needed for the win, Afzaal was caught behind trying to steer Smith to point but Kevin Pietersen gave his captain solid support and hit Brown down the ground for the match-winning boundary.

Earlier, put into bat, Warwickshire made 212-7 thanks to a splendid 103 from opener Nick Knight (181 mins, 157 balls 8 fours). Neil Smith and Trevor Penney were the only other batsmen to reach 30. For Notts Greg Smith bowled superbly, picking up 4-18 from his 10 overs.

Darren Bicknell was deservedly named winner of the Gold Award.