Robin Martin-Jenkins' season-best bowling performance in the National League could not prevent Sussex Sharks from falling to a fourth consecutive defeat.

Martin-Jenkins claimed 4-50 from his nine overs but was fortunate to miss out on the punishment served up by Notts captain Chris Cairns and Chris Read, who together put on a competition record unbeaten sixth wicket stand of 167.

The Sussex bowlers had no answer to the New Zealand all-rounder and England's one-day keeper, who dragged the home side out of trouble from 125-5 to finish with 292-5 off 45 overs.

Cairns' innings of 91 not out came from just 72 balls, with four fours and five sixes. His partner Read also scored at more than a run a ball, with an unbeaten 79 from 73 balls.

After Notts won the toss, opener Paul Franks took the attack to Billy Taylor and Paul Hutchison with some fine drives, while his partner Bilal Shafayat hit some wristy shots.

After nine overs Notts had reached 49-0 and Sussex stand-in captain Mark Davis turned to all-rounder Martin-Jenkins to stem the flow of runs and the tall right-armer struck in his second over.

He first ball removed Shafayat, who drove straight to mid-off to be caught by Davis for 26. Will Smith went in Martin-Jenkin's next over when adjudged leg before. The dangerous Kevin Pietersen played across the line to Martin-Jenkins and was also leg before.

Martin-Jenkins bagged Franks (38) in his sixth over and Davis had Samit Patel leg before but from then on Cairns and Read dominated, smashing 126 from the last ten overs to set a target Sharks never got close to.

Notts Outlaws (4 pts) beat Sussex (0 pts) by 71 runs.