Nottinghamshire only just managed to defend a total of 445/8 in 50 overs as Northamptonshire made sure the game went to the wire.
The Outlaws won by 20 runs in the opening match of the Royal London One Day Cup after bowling the Steelbacks out for 425 in 48.2 overs with Harry Gurney the pick of the bowlers, taking figures of 3/69 in 9.2 overs.
The combined total of 870 runs between the two sides is the second most to be scored in a 50 over match.
Both Nottinghamshire openers, Michael Lumb and Riki Wessels, each scored their career best professional one day totals.
Match Summary
Nottinghamshire Outlaws – 445/8 after 50 overs
Lumb 184 Cobb 3/53
Wessels 146 Kleinveldt 1/68
Christian 31 Crook 1/84
Northamptonshire Steelbacks – 425 all out after 48.2 overs
Kleinveldt 128 Gurney 3/69
Rossington 97 Mullaney 2/68
Crook 48 Ball 2/86
Notts won the toss and elected to bat on a glorious afternoon with wall to wall sunshine on a batsman’s paradise of a wicket.
The opening partnership lasted 39.2 overs with 342 runs scored before Wessels was caught on 146.
Northamptonshire then took a further seven wickets as Notts batsmen looked to hit out but the Outlaws still managed to score a further 103 runs as they tumbled with Dan Christian hitting a quick-fire 31.
Then came the Steelbacks turn to enjoy their turn batting on the flat wicket but no momentum was sustained with partnerships threatening to build before the Outlaws came back with crucial wickets.
Kleinveldt’s explosive 128 off just 63 balls featured 10 fours and nine sixes with the South African overseas player hitting to all parts of Trent Bridge.
The Outlaws crucially got him out in the 45th over when Northants were poised to take the win whilst on 396.
The bowlers then made light work of the remaining wickets to dismiss the Steelbacks, win by 20 runs and collect all the points on offer to kickstart their 50 over campaign with a bang.
