Essex’s young guns, Robin Das and Jamal Richards, led their team to a resounding seven-wicket victory over Nottinghamshire Outlaws in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup. Despite being already eliminated from the competition, Essex showcased their depth and talent, crushing the Outlaws’ hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
Das, opening the batting, played a masterful innings, scoring an unbeaten century off the last ball of the match. The 20-year-old Richards, a product of the same north-east London academy as Das, claimed a career-best 5 for 31 with his lively pace bowling.
Nottinghamshire had started promisingly, reaching 96 for 1, but Richards’ intervention halted their momentum. He dismissed Ben Slater, Haseeb Hameed, and Freddie McCann in quick succession, leaving the Outlaws reeling at 123 for 4.
Tom Moores briefly revived the innings with a quickfire 33, but Essex’s bowlers kept chipping away. Lyndon James, Liam Patterson-White, and Calvin Harrison all fell cheaply, with Richards claiming his fourth wicket to end Montgomery’s resistance.
Chasing 219, Essex lost Luc Benkenstein early, but Das and Noah Thain steadied the ship. The duo put on a magnificent 185-run partnership for the third wicket, showcasing their maturity and composure. Das finished with 100 from 119 balls, while Thain fell for 83 just five runs short of victory.
Essex’s victory was a testament to their young talent and the depth of their squad. Das and Richards, both products of their academy, have emerged as key players for the county, and their performances in this match bode well for the future.
