England all-rounder Ben Stokes played an inspirational innings as Durham beat Nottinghamshire to set up their first Lord’s one-day final in seven years.
Stokes smashed 164 off 113 balls at Chester-le-Street to set up Durham’s One-Day Cup semi-final 83-run victory.
Backed by Phil Mustard (89) in a 135-run fourth-wicket stand, Stokes helped carve up a formidable total of 353-8.
James Taylor hit 114 in reply, but Notts – Lord’s winners a year ago – were bowled out for 270.
Nottinghamshire, who won the last YB40 final against Glamorgan in September 2013, began the day as favourites to get back to Lord’s and book a meeting on 20 September with Warwickshire – victors over Kent in the first semi-final on Thursday night
But, having arrived at the wicket on 92-3, just as Notts had battled back with three quick wickets following a 61-run opening stand between Mustard and Mark Stoneman (36), Stokes rapidly took the game away from the visitors.
Stokes had been part of England’s morale-restoring one-day win over India at Headingley only the day before – and he memorably showed that his short trip north to Chester-le-Street to return to county duty was entirely justified.
The combative left-hander hammered 26 boundaries, six of which cleared the ropes, to register his highest one-day score – and Durham’s second-largest total in their 23 summers of List A cricket.
Missing Harry Gurney, it was the Notts’ new-ball attack who suffered the most, being carted to all parts by Stokes as their hopes of reaching a fifth Lord’s one-day final were over almost by the halfway mark.
Without Alex Hales, also absent on England duty, Notts’ hopes depended largely on a decent start from Michael Lumb – but he was first to go as they quickly slumped to 210-2.
And, although Taylor further established his England one-day credentials with another ton, sharing a 97-run fourth-wicket partnership with Samit Patel (52), Notts were already well behind the clock.
Chris Rushworth and Gareth Breese both helped themselves to three wickets each before, appropriately enough, man of the match Stokes ended the contest – with 23 balls still unused. (BBC Sport)