Billy Root’s maiden limited-overs century lifted Notts Outlaws to a precious ten-run Royal London Cup victory over Warwickshire at Edgbaston.
The Outlaws made a meaty 303 for six from 50 overs thanks to Root’s unbeaten 107 (93 balls, ten fours, two sixes), supported by Steven Mullaney’s 89 (84 balls, 11 fours). Their stand of 159 was a List A fifth-wicket record for Notts.
Jonathan Trott then continued his prolific 50-over form with his 21st limited-overs century (104, 108 balls, 14 fours) but the chase proved beyond his colleagues as the Bears fell short on 293 for nine.
After Notts chose to bat, the innings began with two maidens but Michael Lumb was soon batting in typically forthright fashion, smashing three sixes in 16 balls.
He received little top-order support though as Rikki Wessels was bowled, trying to sweep Keith Barker, Samit Patel hoisted Olly Hannon-Dalby to long-leg and Brendan Taylor fell lbw to Josh Poysden.
When Lumb (56, 92 balls, two fours, four sixes) also perished lbw to Poysden, the Outlaws were 92 for four but Mullaney, back after injury for the first time this season, and Root counter-attacked.
Mullaney showed how much his nous and skill have been missed by Notts with a classy innings which ended when he made room to carve Barker over the off-side and was bowled. But Root, showing a composure and strokeplay of which brother Joe would have been proud, kept the runs flowing.
He reached his ton in the final over which, delivered by Olly Hannon-Dalby, went for 19 and left Warwickshire chasing 300-plus for the third time in five days.
They were solidly launched by a stand of 104 in 18.1 overs by Trott and Sam Hain (37, 42 balls) before the latter was trapped lbw by James Pattinson.
Trott reached his ton with a single off Stuart Broad, following an entertaining tussle with his former England colleague, but the applause had barely died away before he lifted Mullaney tamely to mid-on.
Mullaney’s fine match continued when he dismissed Ian Bell (51, 61 balls, five fours) and Tim Ambrose, who missed sweeps to fatal effect, and the Bears’ wobble continued when Matt Lamb, on his List A debut, was bowled by Pattinson.
Warwickshire needed 49 from the last five overs and as the pressure mounted Rikki Clarke and Keith Barker sent up skiers. Sixteen from the final over proved too much despite the perky efforts of Aaron Thomason (27 not out, 21 balls).
