Notts Outlaws and Hampshire were unable to conclude their Royal London One Day Cup match after persistent rain forced an early finish to their Group B clash at Trent Bridge.

The Outlaws had reached 256 for three after being put in but were unable to complete their innings when the conditions deteriorated at the end of the 39th over.

In the two and a half hours of play that were possible the home side were on course for a substantial total after being given a typically explosive start by Alex Hales and Riki Wessels, who posted 124 for the first wicket.

Danny Briggs broke the partnership, having Hales caught on the square leg boundary by Sean Ervine for 58. The England one-day opener had hit two sixes and six fours in his 56-ball stay.

Wessels’ had reached his own 50 from 65 deliveries and advanced to 81, from 90 balls with five fours, before helping Chris Wood down into the hands of Yasar Arafat at fine leg.

Promoted to three in the order, Dan Christian bludgeoned his way to 72 before being bowled by Briggs, his half century had been the quickest of the three, coming from only 35 balls, with four fours and three sixes. He cleared the ropes on two more occasions and reached his highest score for Notts before missing a full toss from the left arm spinner.

James Taylor was unbeaten on 25 and Brendan Taylor had made ten when the umpires decided to take the players from the field.

The outcome means that both sides take one point from the contest and can each now make plans for next week’s quarter finals. Notts, who finished top of Group B with 12 points, will face 2014 winners Durham at Trent Bridge.

Hampshire’s ninth point of the qualifying stages means they take third place in the group and must travel to Bristol to face Gloucestershire for their last eight match.

 

Notts Outlaws will host Durham in the Royal London One-Day Cup quarter final next week, date to be confirmed in due course, with tickets going on sale on Thursday at midday.