HALF-CENTURIES from Andrew Hodd and Glenn Maxwell helped Yorkshire to their first T20 Blast win four matches as they beat Nottinghamshire at Headingley.

Hodd registered his first T20 50 before Maxwell went on a blistering attack as he finally displayed why he is known as ‘The Big Show’ across the world.

The Australia all-rounder played all manner of strokes on his way to 11th half-century in the shortest format of the game as his blistering innings left James Taylor’s side with a daunting target of 210.

He then took two wickets with the ball to help see the Vikings to a 40-run victory despite an unbeaten 90 from Samit Patel.

Having lost the toss and been invited to bat first, Yorkshire lost Aaron Finch in just the second over as the Australian opener chopped onto his own stumps in just the second over.

Skipper Andrew Gale also fell in the powerplay as he was well caught by Samit Patel running around the boundary for 20, though Hodd looked in good touch as he hit both Harry Gurney and Luke Fletcher for six in the opening overs.

Hodd was only called into the squad on Friday morning as a replacement for Jonny Bairstow following the wicketkeeper’s call-up for England’s One Day International against New Zealand today – but he made sure to take his chance with an enterprising knock.

The former Sussex man brought up his half-century from 27 balls before eventually falling for 70 having hit six fours and five sixes in his 39-ball innings.

He shared in a stand of 101 for the third wicket with Maxwell, and the Australian was able to continue the momentum even after Hodd fell in the 16th over.

He struck 47 from his final 17 deliveries to finish unbeaten on 92 as Yorskhire ended their 20 overs on 209-4 – their highest score against the Outlaws in T20 cricket.

In reply, the visitors got off to the worst possible as ex-Yorkshire man Michael Lumb fell to his first ball as he offered a tame return catch to Maxwell.

Opening partner Riki Wessels fell in the following over to Tim Bresnan before Brendan Taylor edged Matthew Fisher through to Hodd with just 10 runs on the board.

James Taylor and Patel ensured Yorkshire weren’t have it all their own way as they put on 58 for the fourth wicket, but when the former lofted James Middlebrook to the waiting Maxwell on the mid-wicket boundary for 32, Nottinghamshire’s chances went with him.

Patel did go through to record a half-century off 37 balls before finishing unbeaten on 90, but he could not find the support to get the Trent Bridge outfit close.