Notts win controversial game against one-day kings despite record partnership

In a thrilling and controversial match between two of the top three sides in Division One of the NCL the Notts Outlaws successfully chased a revised (D/L) victory target of 228 to win by six wickets with four balls to spare. Paul Johnson led the run--chase scoring 88 not out. Earlier, the reigning champions had posted a total of 228-8 with Jeremy Snape hitting his first competitive century.

Greg Blewett's first innings as an opener for Notts lasted until the third over when Michael Cawdron trapped him lbw. In another attacking change of order Paul Johnson was promoted to number three but it was Notts skipper Darren Bicknell who gave the innings early impetus, sweetly timing seven boundaries in a classy half-century (70 mins 72 bails).

On a good batting track runs flowed as easily as they had for the Gladiators lower order and the 100 was posted in the 22nd over. Johnson began to monopolise the strike and moved within 5 of his partner as he brought up his own 50 (74 mins 53 bails 6x4)

The stand had reached 118 when Bicknell, in trying to work Mark Hardinges to leg, played all round the ball and was bowled. Usman Afzaal then came to the crease and was shortly the innocent party of a controversial incident.

Johnson pulled Snape high to midwicket, towards Martyn Ball. The fielder, leaping high, completed a brilliant catch but clearly appeared to come down adjacent to the boundary rope, his ankle seeming to twist as he landed. Ball, presumably realising that he couldn't complete the catch fairly, dropped the ball but recovered to hurl it in towards Jack Russell. Johnson had wandered down the wicket after his shot and both batsmen were at the same end - although they had made a token crossing.

Russell removed the bails and despite a hostile crowd screaming that the rope had been touched the umpires gave Afzaal out, much to the anger of the spectators

Gloucs may well have rued the emergence from the pavilion of Kevin Pietersen, who for the second day running flayed the bowling to all, parts. A quite scintillating half century came up in just 34 minutes (35 balls 6x4 1x6). When he departed only 2 runs were needed for victory and Johnson completed the formalities.

Earlier the Gladiators had recovered from 33-5 to reach 228--8 from a rain-- reduced 44 overs. The final total was indebted to a domestic one--day seventh wicket record of 164 between Jeremy Snape and Mark Hardinges; Snape hitting an unbeaten 104 and Hardinges weighing in with 65 on his competition debut.