Samit Patel scored the seventh hundred of his one-day career as Notts Outlaws returned to winning ways with an emphatic victory over Leicestershire Foxes at the Fischer County Ground.
Patel scored exactly 100 as the defending champions scored 409 for seven, after being asked to bat first.
The 33-year old scored his runs from 63 deliveries, with fourteen fours and two sixes, applying the gloss to an innings that also featured three other scores over 50.
Leicestershire, having conceded the most runs in their history, overcame an uncertain start to their run chase to post 316 for nine, leaving the Outlaws to celebrate a 93-run success.
Harry Gurney finished with bowling figures of four for 58 against his former county, with Patel and Jake Ball each taking two wickets.
Tom Wells made 69 and Callum Parkinson remained undefeated on 52 for the Foxes.
Aside from Patel’s glorious knock, there were identical scores of 76 from both Riki Wessels and Tom Moores and 56 from Chris Nash.
Wessels and Nash laid the platform for what was to come later by sharing an opening stand of 118, made in only 15.1 overs.
A straight six by Wessels, from Parkinson’s first delivery, took the batsman to a 33-ball half century. It appeared he was en-route to a swashbuckling century of his own and had hit four maximums before slapping the first delivery sent down by Neil Dexter straight to point.
Nash’s second 50 of the competition came from 57 balls and was also brought up by a six.
His departure, off Gavin Griffiths, didn’t slow down the momentum as Moores and Ross Taylor (25), who made 25, took Notts to 218 for three after 30.1 overs.
Moores’ first 50 in the format was brought up in only 44 balls and his thirst for more success was very evident as he showed disappointment at falling to Griffiths with a big score in sight.
For Griffiths, it was a huge relief as he had dropped the left-hander down at long leg, when Moores had only made 21.
Steven Mullaney (29) helped Patel add 80 in just seven overs and the punishment wasn’t even over then, with Billy Root hitting his first delivery for six after replacing the Notts captain at the crease.
Patel reached three figures with a straight four off Ben Raine, at the end of the 49th over – completing the milestone from 62 deliveries, with 14 fours and two sixes.
The Leicester-born right-hander walked off to a standing ovation when he fell in the final over, caught by an athletic piece of work from Colin Ackermann who threw the ball back in play and took it again after catching the ball as he toppled over the line.
Facing a target of 410 the home side got off to a dreadful start as Jake Ball removed both Michael Carberry and Ackermann – victim of a fine running catch by Patel – to leave them on 13 for two.
Once Gurney had removed both Mark Cosgrove (11) and Paul Horton (35) the odds on a home victory were impossible to calculate.
The Outlaws’ domination was increased when Root picked up a wicket with his very first delivery, having Ned Eckersley caught for 23, to leave the hosts on 93 for five.
Patel weighed in with the wickets of Raine (35) and Dexter (45) to seal an outstanding all-round display.
With the contest already out of reach Leicestershire opted to boost their total and allow some players to spend time in the middle.
Most to benefit were Wells and Parkinson, who both passed 50 in the latter stages. Gurney bowled Wells to take his third wicket and then yorked Varun Aaron to seal a very good day for the Outlaws.
Notts are next in action on Friday, when they face Yorkshire at Headingley.
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Entry is just £1 to all for the Notts Outlaws v Warwickshire Royal London One-Day Cup match and Family Fun Day at Trent Bridge this Sunday (27 May), starting at 11am. Secure your tickets here.