Ben Slater and Haseeb Hameed scored a sensational 209-run partnership as Notts Outlaws picked up their first Metro Bank One Day Cup victory of the season with an eight-wicket win against Sussex Sharks at the John Fretwell Centre.

Toby Pettman and Luke Fletcher impressed with the ball as a good all-round performance in the field saw Sussex bowled out for 216 before Slater and Hameed’s record-breaking third-wicket stand saw the Outlaws chase down the target with nine overs to spare.

After losing the toss Notts were made to field first, a choice their visitors may have soon regretted as Brett Hutton made an early breakthrough.

After looking dangerous in his opening two overs, Hutton finally managed to find the outside edge of Tom Clark, who departed for 14.

It didn’t take long for Fletcher to remove his opening partner also, as Tom Haines was caught behind for the same score by Tom Moores. 

Oli Carter and Fynn Hudson-Prentice then built a solid third-wicket partnership of 54 but Notts managed to limit the run rate until Pettman came into the attack and soon splintered the partnership.

Carter was removed for 23 as he scooped up straight to captain Haseeb Hameed at mid-on before Pettman trapped John Simpson lbw for a golden duck with the very next ball. 

Sussex Sharks reached 104/4 at the halfway stage of their innings, but their fortunes changed two balls later when Liam Patterson-White found the outside edge of Daniel Ibrahim, who was caught at first slip by Matt Montgomery. 

The spinner then doubled his tally by removing Henry Rogers for 13 as he looked to go long but could only find the ever-present Freddie McCann on the boundary. 

Sharks found themselves 167/6 at the start of their final ten overs with Bertie Foreman and Hudson-Prentice holding firm, until a mix-up of communication in the middle allowed Tom Moores to hastily remove the bails of Foreman thanks to some smart fielding from Ben Slater and Lyndon James.

Luke Fletcher was then back into the attack and soon back into the wickets as Archie Lehman was caught behind by Moores before Pettman picked up his third and final wicket of the afternoon by dismissing Hudson-Prentice for a well-made 90. 

Fletcher then cleaned up the final wicket of Ari Karvelas as Sussex Sharks set Notts 217 to win.

The Outlaws didn’t get off to the quickest of starts with the bat despite Ben Slater smashing the first ball of the innings to the boundary, as Freddie McCann was dismissed for two before Jack Haynes was caught by ‘keeper Simpson when looking to cut Crocombe away. 

Slater was joined by skipper Hameed in the middle with Notts 8/2, the pair soon steadying the ship and building a 100-run partnership which saw them both reach their half-centuries just after the halfway stage - Notts posting 121/2.

The pair continued to eat away at the Sussex total, playing a wealth of well-timed strikes, running between the wickets well and giving away very few chances to their opponents in the field. Slater then raised his bat as he scored his seventh List A century from 119 balls, including nine boundaries, much to the applause of those in attendance at the John Fretwell Centre.

With only a handful of runs remaining, Haseeb Hameed stepped on the gas to ensure he would also score his hundred from 112 balls, firing Karvelas down the ground for four to bring up another exceptional century. 

Their stand of 209 is the highest third-wicket partnership for Notts in List A matches, as they ensured an impressive eight-wicket victory at Welbeck CC with nine overs to spare.

The Outlaws look to take back-to-back victories from their Welbeck Weekender, as Yorkshire Vikings are the visitors at 11am on Sunday 28 July.

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