Peter Trego reached 5,000 career List A runs as Nottinghamshire advanced their Royal London Cup ambitions in ruthless style, cruising past Leicestershire by seven wickets with almost 30 overs to spare at Welbeck Cricket Club.

Skipper Trego hit two sixes in his 31-ball 39, Ben Slater picked up six boundaries in his 38 and young South African batter Matthew Montgomery hit 27 not out as the Outlaws reached a target of 145 in 20.2 overs.

Earlier, Luke Fletcher had taken four for 30 and Dane Paterson three for 25 as Leicestershire were bowled out in 43.1 overs, with 16-year-old leg-spinning all-rounder Rehan Ahmed top-scoring with 35 not out.

In overcast conditions after Nottinghamshire had won the toss, Fletcher had Rishi Patel edging to second slip and nipped one back to bowl Harry Swindells in his first three overs.

Fletcher removed Marcus Harris, the Australian left-hander nicking behind for 16, before Foxes captain Hill had another escape a couple of balls later as a miscued pull fell just out of the reach of midwicket.

Paterson dismissed George Rhodes via a low catch to second slip before Fletcher picked up his fourth wicket as an Arron Lilley prod outside off lodged in the gloves of the wicketkeeper.

When Louis Kimber edged Paterson to first slip, Leicestershire were 53 for six in the 18th, which became 68 for seven as Hill departed for 25, a third victim for ‘keeper Dane Schadendorf a day after his 19th birthday.

Ahmed and Ben Mike fought back, adding 70 for the eighth wicket with the teenager looking entirely unfazed in only his third senior game.

However, once Mike had been caught on the midwicket boundary, with Slater parrying the ball into the air before ensuring his feet were the right side of the rope as he took the catch, the innings ended quickly.

Ed Barnes played across one from Trego to be pinned lbw first ball, before Chris Wright was caught behind off Brett Hutton.

Sol Budinger set the tone for the Outlaws chase by smashing three of his first 11 balls for four before edging behind as he went for another expansive drive.

Slater and Trego rattled along at a similar pace as the powerplay overs yielded 62 for one compared with the Foxes’ 21 for two.

Trego smashed Wright for back-to-back sixes and though both he and Slater fell in quick succession, the double breakthrough won merely a stay of execution for Leicestershire.

With the Outlaws needing just 48 for victory at the fall of the third wicket, the job was completed through Montgomery and Lyndon James, who added 48 runs in 39 balls to leave the appreciative Welbeck crowd purring.

*******

The pomp, ceremony and tradition of county cricket's Royal London Cup Final arrive at Trent Bridge on 19 August.

Secure your seats below.