In the end, I decided that a county which embraces London could not possibly merit my cheers and so rooted for Notts.
Had I not decided so to do, I would have had to have switched my allegiance to the guys from Trent Bridge anyway, after two appalling umpiring decisions had put Notts on the rack.
Two of their first five wickets lost were to incorrect decisions by umpires. (If anyone doubts the wisdom of more technology to help out the officials - surely, this was a situation to have changed your mind.)
However, an unbelievable innings by Alex Hales, chasing down 298 to win, still managed to take the trophy for the E. Midlands side. He was aided by skipper Read with a hugely supportive 58.
Hales carved out the highest ever one day score on the hallowed, Lords' turf - making an incredible, undefeated 187.
Still no place for Hales as opener in the Test Series which starts on Thursday, also at Lords. He just is not that kind of player. Surrey's Stoneman made an excellent 144 to show the Test selectors that he, perhaps, had merited a debut.
