WORCESTERSHIRE Rapids are top of Group 2 in the Royal London One-Day Cup after a record-breaking triumph against Essex Eagles at Chelmsford.
The Rapids winning margin of 182 runs was their largest ever victory in terms of runs against a first-class county in List A cricket.
It surpassed the 178 run success – also against Essex – in 1995 and then versus Glamorgan by the same margin in 2010.
The Rapids lead the table with a maximum haul of six points from their opening three matches.
The top team in Groups 1 and 2 automatically qualify for the semi-finals and will have a home tie.
Play-offs will decide their opponents between the teams finishing second and third in Group 1 against the sides finishing second and third in Group 2.
The runners-up in the two groups will have a home tie.
Jack Haynes is the second-highest run-scorer in the competition, with 289 from three innings at an average of 96.33.
Only Durham’s Graham Clark, with 346 from three knocks, has scored more.
Haynes’ magnificent 153 against the Eagles is also the highest individual score in the tournament so far in 2021.