An elated Chris Read has saluted Man of the Match Steven Mullaney’s ‘sensational’ century that proved decisive in powering Notts Outlaws to Lord’s with a record-breaking performance against Essex Eagles at the Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford.
Samit Patel’s 122 not out and Brendan Taylor’s 62 helped the visitors rebuild their innings from 80-3 as they replied to the hosts’ 370-5.
But it was all-rounder Mullaney’s 111 from 75 balls, including eight fours, six sixes – his first List A hundred – that gave Notts real impetus in their successful quest to complete the highest ever domestic List A game chase in England.
Mullaney and Patel put on 185 in 23.4 overs for the fourth wicket before the latter edged four runs off Paul Walter to get the Outlaws over the line with three balls to spare.
It was only the second defeat inflicted on Essex this season, who had previously won all but one of their 50-over group games and are unbeaten and top of Specsavers County Championship Division One.
“Taking nothing away from Samit, because his was a great knock that anchored the innings, but Mull’s innings was sensational and really gave us the momentum we needed to get over the line,” said captain Read.
“That ranks right up there in terms of the games I have played in. It was a fantastic run chase to cap an unbelievable week.
“First there was the game at Taunton with 834 runs scored and now another 743 runs here. It’s just a great advert for domestic white ball cricket.
“We were absolutely elated in the dressing room. It was a little bit nervy towards the end when Mull got out!
“But Mull and Samit’s partnership was absolutely fantastic considering we were in a precarious position when they came together. If you lose a couple of wickets there then the game can start slipping away.
“Credit to BT (Brendan Taylor) as well, who played his second fantastic knock in a week and has run into some really good form.”
Notts will find out their final opponents today (Saturday) as Worcestershire Rapids take on Surrey in a game starting at 11am.
At one point, however, their place in that showpiece occasion looked in jeopardy as England’s Alastair Cook, with 133, and Ryan ten Doeschate, who hit 102 not out, piled on the runs.
Read was delighted with his team-mates’ application, and says it is a sign of the resilience running through the side.
He added: “I think we are confident chasing whatever with reason, but it was probably a slightly over-par score that we were chasing.
“But the wicket was true, credit to the groundsman, and there was a quick outfield with short straight boundaries.
“I think the wife and family will be pleased to see me when I get back home because we’ve been away for just over a week now for the two games, but it was a great feeling to win what was a great game.”
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