Can Nuts the Squirrel and Notts earn redemption in 2017?
Saturday 2 September 2017 08:57, UK
Agony followed quickly upon disappointment for Nottinghamshire on NatWest T20 Blast Finals Day in 2016 as Nuts the Squirrel narrowly missed out on victory in a thrilling Mascot Race.
The Outlaws were already licking their wounds after suffering an eight-run defeat to eventual champions Northamptonshire in the semi-finals, losing to the Steelbacks for the first time in domestic T20 cricket.
It looked as though the blow of that defeat might be softened when Nuts stormed into an early lead in the Mascot Race - master of ceremonies David 'Bumble' Lloyd struggling to keep pace with the racy rodent.
But Alfred the Gorilla, representing Gloucestershire - arguably the most famous of Bristol Zoo's long line of prestigious residents - gradually closed the gap before launching himself at the finish line to claim victory.
Not only will Nuts be looking for redemption at Edgbaston on Saturday but so will Notts, who sealed a return to Finals Day by beating Somerset in their quarter-final at Trent Bridge.
Outlaws will meet two-time champions Hampshire in their semi-final, with Birmingham Bears - on their home ground - tackling Glamorgan in their last-four clash.
Click on the video above to watch the 2016 Mascot Race in all its glory and then watch the 2017 race, as well as all three games from Finals Day, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10.30am on Saturday.
