James Bracey played a decisive innings, scoring a robust 103 runs to guide Gloucestershire to a four-wicket victory over Nottinghamshire Outlaws in the Metro Bank One Day Cup at the College Ground in Cheltenham. His outstanding performance featured a commanding second-wicket partnership of 153 runs with Ollie Price, who contributed 59 runs. Later, Joe Phillips provided valuable support with an unbeaten 61, enabling Gloucestershire to chase down a target of 280 with five balls remaining.
For Nottinghamshire, despite losing the toss, Haseeb Hameed and Kyle Verreynne each scored 85 runs, anchoring their innings. However, bowling efforts from Aman Rao and Marchant de Lange, who took 4-44 and 3-37 respectively, restricted the Outlaws to 279 all out in 48.3 overs.
The Outlaws started solidly, with Ben Martindale and Freddie McCann putting together a 50-run partnership inside 11 overs. Gloucestershire responded with a pivotal burst of three wickets for 20 runs, with Price dismissing McCann and Rao removing Tayyab Tahir and Martindale in an economical spell of 2-13.
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Although Nottinghamshire found themselves at 72 for 3, the experienced Hameed and Verreynne steadied the innings and moved the score to 120 for 3 at the halfway stage. Displaying authority in their strokes, both reached half-centuries-Hameed in 64 balls, and Verreynne in a quicker 48-maintaining a 100-run partnership over an 18-over spell.
The spin bowlers dominated much of the innings, and Hameed’s attempt to accelerate ended when he was caught at midwicket off Ed Middleton’s bowling, much to the delight of the home crowd in a sold-out festival atmosphere. The dismissal of Verreynne by Price at 265 for 5 in the 46th over made the 300-run mark a reachable target.
However, De Lange and Rao orchestrated a dramatic collapse, swiftly taking six wickets in 17 balls for just 12 runs, swinging momentum back in Gloucestershire’s favour. Cameron Bancroft was dismissed due to accurate bowling from Hutton, but Bracey and Price carefully negotiated the new ball.
Bracey took an aggressive approach, reaching 50 runs off 52 balls, while Price thrived against spin bowling. Together, they forged a significant 150-run partnership over 101 deliveries, with Bracey’s stylish 82-ball century characterised by seventeen fours, including a straight drive that marked his sixth List A hundred.
Despite Gloucestershire appearing comfortable, Stone delivered a game-changing spell, claiming three wickets in seven balls to remove Bracey, Price (lbw), and Joseph Eckland without scoring, reducing Gloucestershire to 173 for 4 and leaving 107 runs required from 20.1 overs.
Displaying composure under pressure, Joe Phillips and Tommy Boorman responded with an unbroken partnership of 68 runs, stabilising the chase. Although Hutton dismissed Boorman and Daz Ahmed in the 43rd over, the eventual match winner was Phillips, who achieved his maiden List A half-century alongside Ed Middleton, ensuring Gloucestershire’s victory.