Bairstow blitzes 83* as Yorkshire demolish Notts at Trent Bridge

Yorkshire won by 7 wickets (with 21 balls remaining) against Nottinghamshire in dominant fashion at Trent Bridge. The 5th match of 111 in the T20 Blast 2026 produced a masterclass from Jonny Bairstow, who chased down 168 almost single-handedly. Yorkshire won the toss and inserted Nottinghamshire.

First Innings – Nottinghamshire 167/7 (20 overs)

Nottinghamshire lost Joe Clarke for just 1 off 5 balls, bowled in the first over with the score on 2. Ben Duckett counter-attacked brilliantly with 29 off 18 (strike rate 161), but his dismissal at 47/2 in the 6th over slowed things down. George Munsey contributed 28 off 23 and Jack Haynes added 20 off 14 at a strike rate of 143, but both fell in quick succession – 80/3 in the 10th over and 90/4 in the 11th.

Tom Moores kept the scoreboard ticking with 28 off 19 at 147, but when he fell at 117/5 in the 15th over and Lyndon James followed at 127/6, Nottinghamshire were in danger of posting a below-par total. Enter Benny Howell. A devastating 30 off just 13 balls – three sixes and a four at a strike rate of 231 – in the final over surge lifted Nottinghamshire to 167/7. Joe Pocklington finished unbeaten on 16 off 20.

Jafer Chohan was the pick of the Yorkshire bowlers with 2/26 from four overs at an economy of 6.5. Moeen Ali was economical with 1/19 from 3 overs at 6.33, while Dominic Bess took 2/27.

Second Innings – Yorkshire 169/3 (16.3 overs)

Yorkshire lost Adam Lyth for 4 in the first over and William Luxton was bowled for 5 at 11/2 in the 2nd over. Two early wickets, Trent Bridge buzzing, and Nottinghamshire right in the contest. That lasted about ten minutes.

Jonny Bairstow and James Wharton produced one of the great T20 Blast partnerships – 144 runs together that turned the match into a procession. Jonny Bairstow was sensational, finishing unbeaten on 83 off 47 balls with 9 fours and 4 sixes at a strike rate of 177. It was controlled violence – picking his moments, punishing anything short, and clearing the ropes when the field spread. James Wharton was the perfect foil with 55 off 41 (4 fours, 3 sixes, strike rate 134), playing with maturity beyond his years before falling caught at 155/3 in the 15th over. By then, the result was a formality. Moeen Ali came in and sealed it with a brisk unbeaten 6 off 4.

Dillon Pennington took 2/63 from 5 overs but went at 12.6 an over. Mohammad Ali was the most economical Nottinghamshire bowler with 1/27 at 6.75, but Yorkshire‘s batting was simply too powerful. Olly Stone had a tough day, conceding 32 from 2 overs.

Statz MVP – Jonny Bairstow (102.86)

Jonny Bairstow earns a Statz rating of 102.86 for an innings that was close to perfect. Unbeaten 83 off 47 balls, 9 fours, 4 sixes, strike rate of 177 – and all of it after walking in at 11/2 in a tricky chase. Statz calculates impact based on match context, and rebuilding from that position to win with 21 balls to spare earned Bairstow a rating that reflects total dominance. No official Man of the Match was awarded.

Top 5 Statz Ratings

1. Jonny Bairstow – 102.86 – Unbeaten 83 off 47 with 9 fours and 4 sixes. Match-winning knock from 11/2.
2. Benny Howell – 76.52 – 30 off 13 at a strike rate of 231. Late fireworks lifted Nottinghamshire to 167.
3. Jafer Chohan – 68.92 – 2/26 from 4 overs at 6.5. The most economical multi-wicket bowler in the match.
4. James Wharton – 55.96 – 55 off 41 in a match-defining 144-run stand with Bairstow.
5. Ben Duckett – 52.15 – 29 off 18 at a strike rate of 161. The only Nottinghamshire batter to really threaten.

Turning Point

The fall of Jack Haynes caught at 90/4 in the 11th over. Nottinghamshire were well set at that point with momentum building, but losing Haynes – and then Lyndon James at 127/6 – meant the middle overs squeeze took hold. Only Benny Howell‘s late assault salvaged 167, but it was never quite enough against a Yorkshire lineup featuring Bairstow in this mood.

Match Context

Yorkshire climb to 5th in the T20 Blast standings with 4 points from their opening win, while Nottinghamshire drop to 14th with 0 points after a deflating defeat at home. Bairstow’s form is an ominous sign for the rest of the competition. full scorecard.