A fifth-wicket stand of 296 between Paul Johnson and Kevin Pietersen powered Notts to a commanding 155-run victory over Northants in their final pre-season 50 over friendly.

Star of the show was the swashbuckling Johnson, who hit an incredible 13 sixes in an innings of 168 not out. Pietersen, who looks a valuable addition to the Trent Bridge staff, played a supporting role but still accelerated to weigh in with a century of his own.

Darren Bicknell had won the toss for Notts and elected to bat first but was one of four wickets to fall inside the first eight overs as Northants reduced the hosts to 44-4. John Blain had picked up two of the wickets with Michael Strong getting one and deflecting a straight drive from Usman Afzaal onto the stumps to run out the unlucky Chris Hewison.

Johnson immediately looked in good touch and square cut Blain for the first of his sixes. A run rate of six per over was maintained throughout and Johnno's 50 came up in the 22nd over.

David Ripley, the new Northants skipper, rang the bowling changes but Lesroy Weekes, a seamer signed from the Yorkshire Leagues was unable to stem the flow of runs – yielding 44 from his wayward 6 over burst.

Johnson's assault continued and his fifth six brought up the 200 and took him to 99. Pietersen, a tall, elegant right-hander passed 50 and then his partner nudged the single he needed to go to three figures.

Both batsmen then brutally increased the tempo, with Johnson clubbing seven sixes in all from the bowling of Strong on the way to 168 not out. Pietersen joined in the mayhem and reached his first ton for Notts as they took the score to 338-4 from their 50 overs.

In reply Northants were soon plunged in trouble thanks to two pieces of brilliance from Paul Franks, from consecutive balls. From the final delivery of the second over Mal Loye pushed Greg Smith to wide mid on. Alec Swann was slow to respond and failed to beat Franks' direct hit by a yard.

The first ball of the next over saw Loye top edge former Northants bowler Richard Logan and Franks, at third man, took an exceptional low catch on the run.

From a position of 5-2 the visitors settled for batting practice rather than pursue an unlikely target of 339. Russell Warren, Jeff Cook and Kevin Innes all reached 30 but in bitterly cold conditions, with several fielders wearing bobble-hats to keep warm, the game meandered to an inevitable conclusion.

Richard Logan and the rarely used Chris Hewison each took three wickets for Notts.

Notts 338/4 (50 overs) P Johnson 168 not out (134 balls 13 x 6, 7 x 4), K Pietersen 115 not out (124 balls 2 x 6, 12 x 4)

Northants 183/9 (50 overs) R Warren 39, K Innes 38 not out, Logan 3/19, Hewison 3/33

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