Moores the merrier with new benchmark

TOM Moores smashed a career-best 148 from 93 balls as Notts Outlaws launched their Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign with a comfortable victory over Essex.

- ECB REPORTERS NETWORK

It is the 28-year-old wicketkeeper-batter’s highest score in senior cricket, eclipsing his first-class best of 106.

He hit five sixes and 18 fours, sharing a 137-run sixth-wicket partnership with Daniel Sams (45 off 42) as the Outlaws recovered to 283 for nine, having been 41 for four inside the first hour thanks to Essex seamer Jamie Porter taking a List A career-best four for 29.

Robin Das (46) and skipper Tom Westley (43) gave Essex a solid start as they chased a revised target of 286 after squally showers had limited the home side to 46 overs in their innings.

But from 101 for one they collapsed to 156 for six, former Lincolnshire left-arm spinner Joe Pocklington taking three for 53 on his Outlaws debut, and despite an excellent unbeaten 46 from 41 balls (two sixes) from wicketkeeper Simon Fernandes, still fell for 234, seamer Rob Lord finishing with three for 30.