Nottinghamshire’s early prospects hearty thanks to Hales

After being inserted by their opponents, the visitors – the 2013 one-day champions – made 312-8, with Hales doing his England 
50-over prospects no harm by posting 116 and Michael Lumb contributing an unbeaten 77.

Ed Joyce (59) and Steffan Piolet (63 not out) hit half-centuries in the home side’s reply but, hampered by the bowling of Steven Mullaney (4-33) in particular, Sussex’s chase came up short as they finished on 283-8.

Elsewhere in the pool, Middlesex were beaten for the second time in two days in the competition, just missing out in their pursuit of a 241-run victory target against Warwickshire at Lord’s.

After winning the toss, the away side were steered to 240-7 by a 78 from Jonathan Trott, and although Chris Rogers hit 96 in the response, Middlesex could not get over the line, finishing their 50 overs on 236-8 for a four-run defeat.

They had lost their tournament opener on Saturday against Glamorgan, who made it two wins out of two with a three-wicket triumph over Surrey at Guildford.

Will Bragg (88) and Murray Goodwin (74) were the stars for the Welsh outfit as part of their 308-7, achieved with nine balls to spare, in reply to 307-8, to which Rory Burns had contributed 87.

Also in Group B, James Hildreth fired an unbeaten 146 and Lewis Gregory 105 not out as Somerset staged a superb recover to beat Durham by five wickets at Taunton.

After Paul Collingwood’s 113 had helped Durham to 311-7, Somerset looked in big trouble as they slumped to 106-6, but Hildreth and Gregory staged an exhilarating unbroken stand of 209 – a sixth-wicket record for the county in List A cricket – to lead the hosts home with 20 balls to spare.

In Group A, Derbyshire also have two wins out of two after they claimed a seven-wicket victory at Leicestershire.

Mark Footitt (5-59) was the key bowler as Leicestershire were restricted to 248-8 before Wayne Madsen and Shivnarine Chanderpaul made 105 not out and an unbeaten 52 respectively to guide their side home in the 46th over.

Essex made a strong start to their campaign, cruising to an eight-wicket away win over Worcestershire that saw Mark Pettini hit 102 not out.

Graham Napier finished with 4-59, the home side having been restricted to 238-7.

In response, Essex got to 242-2 with 46 balls remaining, Pettini’s knock being added to by an unbeaten 68 from Jesse Ryder and 59 from Ravi Bopara.

Northamptonshire’s David Willey enjoyed a productive day as his side secured a four-wicket win over Gloucestershire at Cheltenham. Michael Klinger put on 98 as the hosts made 240-9, Willey taking 4-33.

Willey (26 not out) then wrapped up Northants’ victory.