Lancashire claimed a significant 31-run victory over Nottinghamshire at AO Farington, effectively ending the Outlaws' 100 percent winning record in this season's Metro Bank One-Day Cup. Both teams now hold records of three wins and one loss, with Lancashire moving to the top of Group A.
Arav Shetty was instrumental in the result, delivering a career-best 53 off 57 balls to help Lancashire reach a total of 220 all out. Despite a rocky start where Lancashire slipped to 98 for 5, Shetty’s maiden first-team fifty provided vital stability. Off-spinner Farhan Ahmed was particularly dangerous for Nottinghamshire, taking 3 for 26, while Liam Patterson-White also contributed three wickets. Jack Blatherwick added a valuable 31 runs for the home side.
Facing a target of 221, Nottinghamshire struggled against a pitch that showed variable bounce. Tom Bailey struck early by trapping Freddie McCann lbw, and Shetty continued his impressive day by dismissing Ben Martindale. George Balderson further tightened the pressure by bowling Haseeb Hameed, leaving the visitors at 64 for 3 after 16 overs.
Although Kyle Verreynne fought hard to score 61, and Liam Patterson-White provided an industrious 39 during a 66-run partnership, the Nottinghamshire middle order could not overcome the spin of Shetty, who finished with figures of 3 for 35 from his 10 overs. Blatherwick, playing against his former county, proved decisive in the final stages by claiming four wickets, including Sam Wood, Brett Hutton, and finally Verreynne, to bowl Nottinghamshire out for 189.
Earlier in the day, Lancashire's innings saw Keaton Jennings and Josh Bohannon share a 78-run partnership before a collapse triggered by Ahmed shifted the momentum. Shetty's aggressive batting, which included two sixes, ultimately proved the difference as Lancashire successfully defended their total.
