Friday's T20 Blast as it happened

1. Birmingham Bears beat Worcestershire
2. South Group wins for Middlesex, Sussex, Hants & Kent
3. Bairstow 92 drives Yorkshire victory
4. Wins for Lancs & Notts in North Group
5. Use live coverage tab to select commentary

That's just about it from another exhilarating night of T20 Blast cricket.

It was two home-grown stars, in Jonny Bairstow and Luke Wright who provided the fireworks. Who's this Brendon McCullum?

We'll be back next week with live text and radio coverage from all the T20 games.

Until then, goodnight and thank you for joining us.

ROUND-UP: KENT BEAT SOMERSET BY 22 RUNS

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Kent are closing in on the T20 Blast quarter-finals after a commanding victory over struggling Somerset at Canterbury.

Daniel Bell-Drummond (77) and Joe Denly (61) set the tone for what was to come with an accomplished 112-run opening stand.

Alfonso Thomas claimed 3-28 for the visitors as they ended their innings on 173-6.

Somerset lost wickets throughout the innings, finishing on 151-9.

It was left to bowlers Jamie Overton (31 off 17 balls) and Abdur Rehman (30 not out off 13 balls) to prolong the match, while Calum Haggett, Fabian Cowdrey and Darren Stevens each took two wickets for the victors.

ROUND-UP: YORKSHIRE BEAT DURHAM BY FIVE WICKETS

An incredible 92 from 42 deliveries by Jonny Bairstow helped Yorkshire seal an unlikely win over Durham.

Durham posted an intimidating 191-6, with 55 runs coming from the last four overs courtesy of John Hastings (43) and Graham Clark (91).

Yorkshire's reply got off to a terrible start when Australia's Aaron Finch fell to the first ball of the innings.

Bairstow however struck eight boundaries and six fours, and was well-supported by Jack Leaning (39) as Yorkshire ended on 194-5.

ROUND-UP: SUSSEX BEAT GLAMORGAN BY EIGHT WICKETS

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Sussex captain Luke Wright smashed an unbeaten 92 as the Sharks eased past Glamorgan at Hove.

Wright hit six maximums in his 46-ball knock in a sensational 117-run opening stand with Chris Nash (50).

Earlier, Ben Wright posted an unbeaten 63 off 46 balls as Glamorgan looked to have set a competitive 164-7, but the hosts reached their target with more than five overs to spare.

Sussex remain within a point of South Group leaders Kent in second, while Glamorgan dropped a place to fifth.

ROUND-UP: HAMPSHIRE BEAT SURREY BY 29 RUNS

Adam Wheater's brilliant innings of 78 steered Hampshire to a comfortable 29-run win against Surrey at the Ageas Bowl.

Wheater struck 11 fours and a six in his 52-ball innings, supported by James Vince (31) and Owais Shah (37) as Hampshire reached an imposing 186-5.

In reply, danger man Jason Roy fell for just nine, and despite contributions from Kumar Sangakkara (28), and Vikram Solanki (34) and a late cameo from Azhar Mahmood (34 off 24 balls), Surrey rarely looked likely to reach the target as they finished on 157-9.

The victory propelled Hampshire up to fourth in the South Group, and above Surrey who slipped to seventh.

ROUND-UP: NOTTINGHAMSHIRE BEAT DERBYSHIRE BY TWO RUNS

Harry Gurney kept his cool in a dramatic final-over finish to bowl Notts to victory against neighbours Derbyshire and keep alive their hopes of reaching the T20 Blast knock-out stages.

The hosts accrued 172-6 batting first thanks in large part to international players past and present, Alex Hales and Samit Patel, who made 54 and 52 respectively, while Shiv Thakor took 3-25 as Derbyshire's stand-out bowler.

The visitors seemed to have the run chase well in hand as Hamish Rutherford struck 62 from 47 balls, but his dismissal by Jake Ball (3-36) set up a nail-biting finale.

The Falcons needed 11 to win off the last six deliveries, but were limited to eight, meaning Wayne Madsen's unbeaten 51 was in vain as they finished on 170-4.

ROUND-UP: MIDDLESEX BEAT ESSEX BY SIX WICKETS

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Middlesex cruised to only their third win of the campaign against a below-par Essex at Richmond.

Steven Finn reduced Essex to 42-5 with a superb four-wicket haul. James Franklin also took three as the visitors were bowled out for 109 two overs shy of their allocation, James Foster top scoring with 33.

Middlesex were always in control as they chased the meagre total, opener Nick Gubbins setting the tone with 22 as the hosts reached their target with 18 balls to spare on 110-4.

Middlesex remain rooted to the bottom of the South Group, while Essex stay in the quarter-final hunt in third.

ROUND-UP: BIRMINGHAM BEAT WORCESTERSHIRE BY FIVE WICKETS

An unbeaten 52 from Rikki Clarke helped Birmingham Bears overcome Worcestershire in a dramatic Midlands derby and qualify for the quarter-finals.

Some big-hitting from Brett D'Oliveira (56 not out) and Tom Kohler-Cadmore (66) took Worcestershire to 160-5 on a slow pitch.

Brendon McCullum hit a huge six to begin the Bears' reply, before being dismissed by Joe Leach for 15.

Despite losing wickets in clusters, Clarke and Ateeq Javid (22 not out) guided group leaders Birmingham to an unlikely win.

ROUND-UP: LANCASHIRE BEAT LEICESTERSHIRE BY 40 RUNS

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Well-paced half-centuries from Paul Horton (63), Karl Brown (52) and Steven Croft (50) helped Lancashire cruise to a 40-run victory against Leicestershire at Grace Road.

The visitors batted first and piled up 191-5, with only Clint McKay (1-26) avoiding heavy punishment.

Leicestershire got their reply off to a flying start, but the wickets of Ned Eckersley (19), Mark Cosgrove (21) and Ben Raine (4) in three successive overs reduced the hosts to 51-3 and all-but ended the game as a contest.

Medium pacer Jordan Clark finished with 3-41 and spinner Stephen Parry 2-29 as Leicestershire limped to 151-8 at the close of their innings.

How things stand - South Group

Kent sit top of the table and have one foot in the quarter-finals while Sussex are only a point behind in second.

Essex, Hampshire and Glamorgan are all level pegging on 12 points and even bottom side Middlesex have kept their slim qualification hopes alive with a win tonight.

See the full table here.

How things stand - North Group

Birmingham Bears have sealed their quarter-final spot and opened up a four point gap on Worcestershire.

Lancashire are in third, but Yorkshire in eighth are only three points behind with at least a game in hand on the teams above them.

Derbyshire remain bottom and look unlikely to make the quarters.

See the full table here.

Join the debate at #bbccricket

Middlesex and England bowler Steven Finn: "A few guys learning from Cookies mistake and wearing a box whilst fielding tonight for Middlesex at Richmond. Get to keep the Crown Jewels safe."

England captain Alastair Cook took one in the unmentionables on Thursday while fielding in the slips in their Ashes Test match against Australia in Cardiff.

REACTION: BIRMINGHAM BEAT WORCESTERSHIRE BY FIVE WICKETS

Worcestershire assistant coach Matt Mason: "It was disappointing to be on the wrong end of the result. In these games there's always plenty of entertainment. I thought it was a really good game of cricket.

"It was a tough pitch to bat on. I felt that when we came off we had enough runs. Rikki Clarke played a terrific innings but sometimes you come up against a player on his day to win a game for his team. That's what Rikki did tonight.

"He was happy to knock it around for a couple of singles and pick up the twos and the odd boundary. Unless we got him out, he was always in apposition to do what he did. Laurie Evans also played a an explosive innings."

Join the debate at #bbccricket

Ryan Thomas: "Glamorgan must be sick of the sight of Sussex in the T20. Another century opening partnership to follow last month's 10 wicket win."

Benjamin Watts: "Cushty win for Kent. 22 runs the winning margin. Spitfires stay top of the South Group with 16 points."

REACTION: MIDDLESEX BEAT ESSEX BY SIX WICKETS

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Middlesex bowler Steve Finn who took 4-28:

"It was nice to pick up four wickets, but the win was more important.

"It was good to bowl my four overs at the top of the innings and to get the wickets and stem the flow or runs.

"The pitch was okay to start with, but then it got slower and harder to bat on as the game went on."

REACTION: MIDDLESEX BEAT ESSEX BY SIX WICKETS

Essex head coach Paul Grayson: "It was a massive disappointment to lose the game, but it was a bad day at the office.

"If we want to qualify for the quarter-finals we'll need to win our last two games. This is Essex, we never do things the easy way."

Join the debate at #bbccricket

Nottinghamshire bowler Luke Fletcher, currently on loan at Surrey: "What a game!!! Balls of steel from @JakeBall30 and @gurneyhf absolute top class death overs #outlaws."

Harry Gurney gave away just eight runs in the last over to see Notts win by a narrow two runs.

BREAKING: KENT BEAT SOMERSET BY 22 RUNS

It's quite some finish from Abdur Rehman, even if it's in a losing cause. He's just gone six, four, six, dot, four, six. And then been caught off a no-ball.

Matt Coles' final ball is driven straight down the ground for a single to bring the match to a close. It was a 22-run defeat in the end, but the gulf between the teams was much bigger than that margin suggests.

James Tredwell's bowling was a key factor for the hosts, going for just 15 from his fours overs, and he also captured the wicket of opener Jim Allenby.

REACTION: BIRMINGHAM BEARS BEAT WORCESTERSHIRE BY FIVE WICKETS

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Birmingham Bears batsman Rikki Clarke, who scored 52: "Obviously we are delighted with the two points. We have not had a great record here. We have struggled on Worcester wickets.

"Again it was an attacking wicket, we felt they probably got 20 more than they should have done. But we felt that we could take it deep with our batting line-up and that's what we did.

"There was a little bit of consolidation in the middle period. Again I think that's the wicket, you can't take too many risks. Laurie Evans has come and played an amazing knock.

"Sometimes I have to come in and throw the bat but I had a bit more time today and batted all the way through."

That's six wins out of seven now for Birmingham Bears over Worcestershire. Not good reading if you're a Pears fan.

BREAKING: HAMPSHIRE BEAT SURREY BY 29 RUNS

Azhar Mahmood's little cameo comes to an end on 34, holing out to Joe Gatting off Danny Briggs' final ball.

Surrey made a decent fist of chasing down Hampshire's huge total of 186-5 largely thanks to Kumar Sangakkara (28) and Vikram Solanki (34), but were always behind the rate.

Briggs starred with the ball, taking 3 for 21, while Will Smith and Mason Crane both chipped in with two apiece, Crane making the legendary Sri Lankan his first T20 victim.

SIX MAXIMUMS NEEDED

Azhar Mahmood takes two fours off Yasir Arafat's first four balls and then a six off his final ball to move on to 31 off 20 balls.

A total of 20 off the over, but it's all academic. The visitors need 35 from the final six balls - just six a ball then.

Danny Briggs to wrap things up.

YORKSHIRE BEAT DURHAM BY FIVE WICKETS

Former Yorkshire wicketkeeper Richard Blakey on BBC Radio Leeds: "It's been a packed crowd who had fantastic value this evening. At half-time we said it would be a tall order and someone would need to play a big innings, and Jonny Bairstow played out of his skin for 92.

"He was well, well supported by Jack Leaning, let's not underestimate him - and Tim Bresnan came in at the end and finished the job.

"Let's just hope this sets them off on the winning streak they need to qualify for the quarter-finals. They'll be confident after that, something like that can change a season."

The end is nigh here at Canterbury. Mitch Claydon takes an excellent, running catch to see the back of Max Waller and give Calum Haggett his second wicket.

Adam Wheater is in the thick of things again, stumping James Burke off the bowling off Danny Briggs.

Quite a night for the Hampshire keeper who has three stumpings after his half century.

Surrey need two very big overs - 53 runs to be exact.

YORKSHIRE BEAT DURHAM BY FIVE WICKETS

An absolutely remarkable win by Yorkshire at Headingley.

Tim Bresnan picked up where Jonny Bairstow left off, blasting 24 from just eight balls. Facing Usman Arshad, Bresnan smashed four, six and six to take his side to victory.

The night will belong to Bairstow but it was an important knock from Jack Leaning. His 39 from 31 balls was full of sharp singles and his willingness to give Bairstow the strike.

92 from just 42 balls - Jonny Bairstow, take a bow.

Join the debate at #bbccricket

BBC Sussex's Adrian Harms: Another magnificent innings from Luke Wright 92 @SussexCCC win by 8 wickets what a night!

Former Yorkshire wicketkeeper Richard Blakey on BBC Radio Leeds: "This huge crowd are stood up giving Jonny Bairstow the ovation he deserves. He's batted for just 42 balls for his 92 and given Yorkshire a real chance of winning this game.

"It may slow up while Tim Bresnan gets his eye in and gets used to the light."

Yorkshire need 30 off 21 balls. Where's your money?

BREAKING: SUSSEX BEAT GLAMORGAN BY EIGHT WICKETS

Australian batsman George Bailey ends a sensational run chase in typical fashion, as he puts Dean Cosker into the stand.

But Luke Wright was the undoubted star, only denied a century by the target itself, finishing unbeaten on 92 off just 46 balls with six maximums and eight fours.

Wright and Chris Nash (50) made mincemeat of what had looked a decent target by Glamorgan with a devastating century opening stand.

KEY WICKET Bairstow (c Collingwood b Arshad 92)

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A remarkable innings from Jonny Bairstow comes to an end, but that's an incredible knock by the England wicketkeeper-batsman.

Usman Arshad's over gets off to a shaky start as Jack Leaning is caught in the deep off a no-ball.

Bairstow cuts the right-armer for another boundary but he's caught by Paul Collingwood just two balls later for a supreme 92 from 42 deliveries.

Bairstow's 92 included eight boundaries and four sixes. That is some hitting.

SURREY COLLAPSING

Surrey's hopes are fading as Mason Crane has Vikram Solanki stumped by Adam Wheater for 34.

That man Wheater then catches Zafar Ansari off the bowling of Will Smith, but is there late hope as Ben Foakes hits two sixes off Crane's final two balls. Too little, too late?

Erm yes, as Foakes has just been stumped off Danny Briggs.

Join the debate at #bbccricket

BBC Newcastle's Martin Emmerson: "Unsurprisingly this 5th wicket stand of 86 for @Yorkshireccc is a record for them v @DurhamCricket in @NatWestT20Blast."

Jonny Bairstow and Jack Leaning are absolutely flying at Headingley.

LANDMARK FOR WRIGHT

Another landmark for Luke Wright as he takes his season tally past 500 runs with the seventh four of his innings, Graham Wagg the victim.

Matt Machan helps himself to a four and six off Michael Hogan before Wright hits Wagg for yet another boundary.

Wagg gets some consolation as he has Machan caught on the boundary for a rapid 12.

Sussex have got this in the bag though.

Barring a big, big innings from New Zealand wicket-keeper Luke Ronchi, it always looked as if Kent would be in pole position.

Now that he has holed out trying to hit one all the way, it's as good as over. Fabian Cowdrey takes the wicket, Matt Coles the catch.

Join the debate at #bbccricket

Nottinghamshire: "@DerbyshireCCC there's a minibus waiting for you at reception #CricketHasLanded"

Nice little bit of goading there from Notts after beating their fierce rivals Derbyshire in front of a record Notts T20 crowd at Trent Bridge.

BAIRSTOW GOING BONKERS!

This is a nice little cameo from Jack Leaning, who has done his best to keep Jonny Bairstow on strike while finding the boundary himself with ease.

The first ball of Chris Rushworth's final over goes for four, due to some poor fielding on the boundary, before Bairstow slams a straight drive past the bowler.

The wicket-keeper then slams a huge six over long-on, much to the delight of the crowd, to leave him on 82 off 37 balls.

Yorkshire need 49 from the last five overs.

BREAKING: NOTTINGHAMSHIRE BEAT DERBYSHIRE BY TWO RUNS

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Harry Gurney is given the responsibility of bowling the final over of the match, with Madsen hitting the first ball for a well-run two.

Ball two is a dot to make it nine needed off four.

Madsen takes a two off the third ball through square leg and can only manage a single off the fourth delivery, as can Billy Goldeman off the penultimate ball.

With four required off the last ball to tie, Madsen can only manage two. You have to hand it to Gurney, he held his nerve superbly under huge pressure.

KEY WICKET Nash (c Lloyd b Wagg 50)

Just two balls after reaching his 50, Chris Nash falls as Glamorgan finally find the breakthrough.

David Lloyd takes the catch off Graham Wagg's bowling, but Luke Wright moves to 73 with two more boundaries off Wagg.

Sussex are cruising here.

KEY WICKET Sangakkara (c Gatting b Crane 28)

Big wicket for teenager Mason Crane as Kumar Sangakkara is caught by Joe Gatting for 28 off 17 balls.

The run rate has climbed to more than 12 an over, but former England international Vikram Solanki is still there on 31.

Young Mason will remember that wicket for a long time I'm sure.

11 NEEDED OFF LAST OVER

Jake Ball has bowled superbly for the Outlaws in that penultimate over, getting Hughes for 13 as the batsman dragged on trying to heave the ball to the fence. The over went for seven.

11 runs off the final over is the equation for Derbyshire,

TIGHT FINISH IN PROSPECT

It looks likely to go down to the wire here at Trent Bridge, but Derbyshire must be favourites with wickets in hand and Wayne Madsen well set on 40.

Plenty in the crowd are biting their fingers, with the Falcons needing 18 off the final two overs.

Former Yorkshire wicketkeeper Richard Blakey on Jonny Bairstow: "Right from ball one he's looked in imperious form.

"He's timed the ball perfectly so far, but he is being well supported by Leaning who is playing a sensible innings. Another four or five overs of Bairstow and Yorkshire will be somewhere near."

CHRIS NASH HITS 50 (31 balls, 7 fours)

Chris Nash joins his skipper in the 50 club by pushing a single off Andrew Salter.

Luke Wright follows the landmark by launching Salter for successive sixes as Sussex head relentlessly for the target.

BAIRSTOW SMASHES FIFTY (24 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes)

The beer snakes and the chants of Yorkshire are springing up across the ground as Jack Leaning and Jonny Bairstow put the Tykes in a strong position.

Bairstow brings up his half-century in stunning fashion, smashing Ryan Pringle for a huge six.

It's been a superb innings from the in-form batsman and he's been well-supported by Leaning and the pair's athleticism between the wickets.

LUKE WRIGHT HITS 50 (30 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes)

Chris Nash and Luke Wright are matching each other shot for shot, but Wright reaches his half-century first.

He brings up the milestone in the best possible way, launching Dean Cosker for a maximum.

It may sound a little obvious, but Glamorgan need a wicket.

WICKETS TUMBLING!

Kent are tightening the noose on Somerset here.

England spinner James Tredwell removes Jim Allenby for 15, caught by Matt Coles, as he bowls a wicket-maiden.

Darren Stevens follows it up by dismissing James Hildreth for nought and Peter Trego for 18 in the next over.

Somerset need 117 off 11 overs. Unlikely.

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Vikram Solanki takes successive fours off Jackson Bird and Kumar Sangakkara strokes the first ball of the next over to the boundary.

The Sri Lankan then smacks Yasir Arafat for six as Surrey find some much-needed impetus at the end of the powerplay.

Former Yorkshire wicketkeeper Richard Blakey on BBC Radio Leeds: "That was far too full to be playing down the legside. Whack it down the ground, he can do that.

"Disappointment again for this crowd in that Finch and Maxwell have failed. But Jonny Bairstow is looking good."

BAIRSTOW FIGHTS BACK

Jonny Bairstow is Yorkshire's main hope of victory from here as Glenn Maxwell falls for a quickfire 16.

Scott Borthwick has entered the attack and Bairstow greeted him by launching his first two balls for four and six.

Borthwick has the upper hand, however, as Maxwell attempts to pull the leg spinner and is clean-bowled instead.

Bairstow however is flying on 31 off 13 balls.

KEY WICKET Rutherford (b Ball 62)

Jake Ball's yorker rips under the bat of Hamish Rutherford and the young seamer celebrates amid the din of a record T20 Trent Bridge crowd.

That has thrown the cat among the pigeons with the Falcons seemingly cruising. It's given Notts new belief.

Derbyshire need 42 off 27 balls.

Sussex continue to go at more than 10-an-over as they make Glamorgan's total look almost inadequate.

Skipper Luke Wright and Chris Nash look untroubled as they race to 28 and 34 respectively at the end of the powerplay.

It could be a tight finish here at Canterbury. With Johann Myburgh castled by Mitch Claydon for 16, Jim Allenby and Peter Trego have been fairly circumspect so far.

They need to up their scoring rate, and fast, with the powerplay now at an end. The required run rate is already heading towards 10 an over.

Join the debate at #bbccricket

Nottinghamshire on Twitter

Nottinghamshire CCC: "It's official, tonight's 13,582 is Trent Bridge's highest ever attendance for a Nottinghamshire T20 #CricketHasLanded."

ROY'S MISERY CONTINUES

Surrey's hopes of chasing down Hampshire's massive total are dealt two early blows.

Gareth Berg has surprise opener Tom Curran caught by James Vince in only the second over for three.

And in the following over Australian international Jackson Bird takes the key man, bowling England opener Jason Roy for nine.

Roy is averaging just 18.25 in this year's competition.

HAMISH RUTHERFORD HITS 50 (40 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes)

New Zealand opener Hamish Rutherford is leading Derbyshire's victory charge here as he drives Steven Mullaney straight down the ground for a single to bring up his half century.

Derbyshire need 59 off 36 balls.

SUSSEX FLYING

Sussex have set off at a good lick as Luke Wright and Chris Nash both plunder a boundary off Colin Ingram's opening over.

Wright moves to 20 off 10 balls and Nash equals his skipper's boundary count with four, as the Sharks seek to strengthen their hopes of a home quarter-final.

Former Yorkshire wicketkeeper Richard Blakey on BBC Radio Leeds: "It's four good overs, two from John Hastings picking up two wickets and Rushworth using his experience at the other end, they haven't given the Vikings much.

"The pressure is starting to tell now. The run-rate is up at 10.38 per over. It's a big ask."

Things are going from bad to worse for Yorkshire as captain Andrew Gale falls in the second over.

Gale shapes to cut but ends up having a wild flail at John Hastings and can only edge behind to Phil Mustard.

Some nerves are calmed by Jonny Bairstow smashing his first ball for four, but this is a big ask now for the Tykes.

REACTION: BIRMINGHAM BEARS BEAT WORCESTERSHIRE BY FIVE WICKETS

Birmingham Bears director of cricket Dougie Brown told BBC WM 95.6: "What a partnership from Laurie Evans and Rikki Clarke. And Ateeq Javid was cool and mopped it up at the end.

"At four down, we looked like we were dead and buried and shows you T20 is an incredible form of the game. We've scrapped throughout the group stages and it's another win today."

On Rikki Clarke's innings: "That's an outstanding innings from someone who is a very good player. He got himself in which he doesn't always have time to do, but that was a quality innings."

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Former Yorkshire wicketkeeper Richard Blakey on BBC Radio Leeds: "Shame for the big crowd that Aaron Finch has once again not entertained them as he is a very destructive player."

INNINGS BREAK

Ben Wright twice sends death bowler Tymal Mills to the boundary as he finishes on an excellent unbeaten 63 off 46 balls.

Wright's knock was the mainstay of a competitive total, with good support from Mark Wallace (20) and Craig Meschede (20 off 7 balls).

Mills was the home side's chief wicket-taker with 3 for 34, while Will Beer chipped in with an economical 2 for 24.

Victory would take the Welsh county above their hosts in the South Group.

It's going well for Derbyshire in their run chase against Notts.

Skipper Wes Durston and Hamish Rutherford got the Falcons off to a flyer and the New Zealander is still going well on 33, including a slapped six off Sam Wood in that last over that has left the hosts looking a little bedraggled.

BBC Newcastle's Martin Emmerson: "I haven't even written the batsman in yet! It was a good diving catch from Scott Borthwick, never gave up on it from deep mid-wicket.

"The next batsman is Alex Lees."

FINCH FALLS FIRST BALL (c Borthwick b Hastings 0)

That is a disastrous start for Yorkshire.

John Hastings, who inflicted so much damage on Yorkshire with the bat, opened the bowling and Finch went straight after his first ball.

He tried to smash a decent length delivery for six but Scott Borthwick took a good catch diving forwards to leave Yorkshire in real trouble already.

INNINGS BREAK

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Surrey have an imposing total to chase as Adam Wheater's explosive 78 and rapid knocks from James Vince (31), Owais Shah (37) and Michael Carberry (18).

They'll need in excess of nine-an-over, but they will know it could have been even worse.

The reply begins shortly.

INNINGS BREAK

Well, Daniel Bell-Drummond did not make it all the way to three figures after he was bowled by Alfonso Thomas playing across the line in trying to register another big hit, but he has put his side in a decent position with 77 from 51 balls.

Somerset, however, have got a strong batting line-up and will feel that they did well to rein in the home batsman in the closing stages when they could have been chasing towards 200. Hope springs eternal for them.

Hat-trick ball for Azhar Mahmood as he removes Owais Shah and Will Smith in successive balls to slow Hampshire's charge.

But Joe Gatting survives and takes a single. Two more singles sees Mahmood finish with 2 for 21 - quite remarkable figures amid all of the carnage.

One to go.

LANCASHIRE BEAT LEICESTERSHIRE BY 40 RUNS

It's been pretty much one way traffic at Grace Road. The Foxes' Tom Wells did his best in the closing stages with 27 from 21 balls, but the hosts simply lost too many wickets, too often.

Lancashire, however, will be cock-a-hoop after following up their Roses win over Yorkshire last week with another convincing win tonight, helped by Jordan Clark's expensive-yet-penetrative 3-41.

BEARS QUALIFY FOR QUARTER-FINALS

BBC Coventry and Warwickshire's Clive Eakin: "It looked like an above par score from the Rapids. Brendon McCullum's contribution was significant if all be it brief, but Rikki Clarke's 52 not out and Ateeq Javid's support were terrific.

"The Bears have qualified for the quarter-finals, and almost a home quarter-final, and with Worcestershire looking on for the quarter-finals, who knows, we could reprise this clash on Finals Day at Edgbaston."

Mike Taylor adds: "That was an extraordinary finish. We didn't want for drama in those closing stages."

INNINGS BREAK

Yorkshire have again lost control with their death overs as Durham finish on a very competitive 191-6.

Graham Clark finished with an excellent, unbeaten 91 while John Hastings smashed 43 from 12 balls.

Slightly odd that Tim Bresnan didn't bowl but young Josh Shaw saw his final over sail away for 23 runs. It's a big ask for Yorkshire now, with 55 runs coming from the last 18 balls.

KEY WICKET: (Wheater c Sangakkara b Burke 78)

Hampshire could be heading for a 200-plus total as Adam Wheater continues his assault on the Surrey attack.

Owais Shah is not hanging around, smashing Azhar Mahmood for a mighty six to race to 36 off just 25 balls.

But Surry finally see the back of their nemesis as Wheater is caught by Kumar Sangakkara off James Burke for a mighty 78 off just 49 balls.

Daniel Bell-Drummond might have one eye on three figures here, even if he will have to go some to get there.

England's Sam Billings is also joining in the fun, having not long since come in for Sam Northeast, by pulling Alfonso Thomas imperiously to the boundary.

BIRMINGHAM BEARS BEAT WORCESTERSHIRE BY FIVE WICKETS

Joe Leach bowls the final over for Worcestershire and his first ball is bunted back down the ground for a single by Rikki Clarke.

Ateeq Javid has a good old-fashioned swing at the second delivery and the pair scamper through for two.

It all ends in slightly farcical circumstances as Javid sets off for a quick single. Ed Barnard has a shy at the stumps, misses and the ball trickles away for overthrows.

That guarantees Birmingham a home quarter-final, while Worcestershire will need to win their final game. An extraordinary comeback from the Bears there.

BIRMINGHAM BEARS NEED SIX FROM SIX

Jack Shantry's final over doesn't start in the prettiest fashion - a full toss flies past Rikki Clarke to go for four byes.

Clarke and Ateeq Javid rotate the strike before Javid strikes a huge, one-bounce boundary to really swing things in the Bears favour.

An expensive over from Shantry goes for 17 runs and Birmingham need just six runs from the final over. Remarkable hitting from Clarke and Javid.

MIDDLESEX BEAT ESSEX BY SIX WICKETS

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Middlesex cruised home by six wickets as they eased past a meagre Essex total with three overs to spare.

David Masters and Shaun Tait put the brakes on a little too late, but the Middlesex batsmen were biding the time - and they had plenty of it.

Eoin Morgan saw them across the line with a steady 21 from 24 balls after decent contributions all the way down the order.

The writing is on the wall for Leicestershire. They need 18.5 runs an over to get home from here, and not many batsmen left in the hutch.

James Faulkner is using all his experience for Lightning and they are really struggling to get the Australian left-armer away.

BBC Coventry & Warwickshire's Clive Eakin: "There is some debate about whether (having no wicketkeeper) is in the spirit of the game. I think the umpires were asked in the last game whether it was allowed and they ruled it was - interesting one."

RIKKI CLARKE HITS 50 (40 balls, 5 fours)

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Worcestershire are taking funky fielding to a new level as, for the second time in this competition, they take out their wicket-keeper and move him into the field.

Keeper Ben Cox has moved to long-off position as Saeed Ajmal bowls his final over. Rikki Clarke sweeps hard to get a much needed boundary and increase Birmingham's chances.

There's a chaotic over, ending with Ross Whiteley diving backwards over the boundary and into the crowd to save a boundary, and Birmingham need 23 runs from 12 balls.

Clarke is 50 not out and the key.

KEY WICKET: Denly (c Overton b Allenby 61)

Finally Somerset make the breakthrough by getting rid of the dangerous Joe Denly before Jamie Overton bowls Alex Blake second ball for a duck.

The visitors could do with a few more wickets, though, if they are to keep the Spitfires down to a manageable total to chase.

Daniel Bell-Drummond still flying on 55 not out.

MESCHEDE MOTORING

Will Beer breaks Glamorgan's fourth wicket partnership of 41, as Mark Wallace is caught by captain Luke Wright for a breezy 20.

Craig Meschede joins the fray and starts pretty well. A dot then six, four, six, dot and four off the unfortunate Matt Machan. That's 21 from the over.

Scrap that, Meschede's just been bowled by Will Beer in the very next over for 20! Glamorgan are 111-5.

Ravi Bopara takes his third wicket as George Scott is caught by Liam Dawson for 20.

Bopara finishes his evening with superb figures of 3 for 12, but it would take a collapse of epic proportions to deny Middlesex now.

They need only 11 runs from six overs.

INNINGS BREAK

Samit Patel has shown his importance to Notts again in the closing overs at Trent Bridge, as he brings up his 20th domestic T20 fifty, which sees him now not too far shy of 3,000 career runs in this format.

His 52 from 38 balls gave Notts the momentum they needed at just the right time, and Derbyshire might feel that they let their cross-border rivals off the hook a little after keeping it tight in the middle overs of the innings.

BBC Coventry & Warwickshire's Clive Eakin: "Laurie Evans maybe just got a little bit carried away trying to play the same shot again. But he has put the Bears in a good position - he's possibly put them back in the game."

GAME ON AT NEW ROAD

Birmingham Bears are mounting a fight back at New Road.

Rikki Clarke is just starting to swing his arms as he hits Brett D'Oliveira and Daryl Mitchell to the boundary.

A narrow run-out shout goes the way of the Bears but, despite a poor start to his over, Saeed Ajmal gets Laurie Evans caught on the boundary for 35.

The visitors need 45 runs from 26 balls.

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Adam Williams: "Sat next to some bloke dressed as a jockey @paddygearey while watching @Yorkshireccc v @DurhamCricket #T20Blast."

ADAM WHEATER HITS 50 (29 balls, 9 fours)

Adam Wheater is helping Hampshire towards a big total at the Ageas Bowl.

The wicketkeeper has raced to his half-century, but will want plenty more to see his side to the magic 200 mark.

CENTURY PARTNERSHIP

Well played Joe Denly and Daniel Bell-Drummond. The century stand comes up in the 13th over with Denly looking particularly good for his 57 from 42 balls.

Bell-Drummond has not been too shabby either, picking up the pace after a slow start to move to 43 from 33 balls with the help of a maximum off leg-spinner Max Waller.

GRAHAM CLARK HITS 50 (32 balls, 10 fours)

He's not a name that comes to mind when you think of T20 stars, but 22-year-old Graham Clark is doing the business for Durham at Headingley.

The youngster has hit a flurry of boundaries against Yorkshire's experienced attack to bring up his first half-century in the format.

He's still got plenty of work to do though to help Durham to a decent total.

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Just 39 to win and England ODI skipper Eoin Morgan is at the crease - it looks gloomy for Essex supporters.

Graham Napier provides a bright spot, however, taking his 100th wicket in domestic T20 as he removes John Simpson, caught by Jesse Ryder for 14.

Yorkshire have used six bowlers tonight and not one of them has been Tim Bresnan, formerly of England's World T20 squad.

The Tykes have favoured slower bowling, with Glenn Maxwell, Adil Rashid and Aaron Finch all turning their arms over.

Graham Clark is still at the crease and looks to be in good form as he moves to 39 from 26 deliveries.

Wickets in three successive overs have put Lancashire in the box seat at Grace Road.

After Kyle Jarvis bowled the dangerous Ned Eckersley for 21, key man Mark Cosgrove was taken by Paul Horton for 21 from Jordan Clark's bowling.

As if that was not bad enough for the Foxes, Ben Raine then slapped Stephen Parry straight to Steven Croft at cover. The target of 192 seems a long way away.

Birmingham Bears director of cricket Dougie Brown on BBC WM: "It's slightly disappointing we've lost the wickets we have.

"I think if we're going to win the game we're going to need a good partnership. If we can set up a platform for the last four overs like they did we can possibly get over the line.

On the Jeetan Patel experiment: "We just thought the first six overs were an opportunity. It didn't work out but at least we've tried it - nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Adam Wheater takes up Michael Carberry's mantle as Hampshire continue to go at more than 10 an over.

He takes Sam and Tom Curran for five fours in two costly overs. Two more boundaries follow off Ansari before captain James Vince joins the party, smacking Gareth Batty for six.

A big total beckons.

HALFWAY STAGE

This is quickly slipping away from the Birmingham Bears as they struggle to find the boundaries.

A run of singles keeps the scoreboard ticking over but with Daryl Mitchell and Brett D'Oliveira both taking pace off the ball, Birmingham are finding it tough going.

The visitors need 97 off the final 10 overs.

Chris Liddle takes the key wicket of Jacques Rudolph, bowling the Glamorgan skipper for 18.

He then takes a return catch to remove Aneurin Donald off his own bowling as Sussex check the visitors' fast start. Ben Wright moves onto 18 off 12 balls.

BBC Coventry & Warwickshire's Clive Eakin: "That was an experiment with Jeetan Patel - whether it was really worth it I'm not sure. I think on a slow-ish pitch they wanted to get off to a good start but it wasn't very successful."

BEARS COLLAPSING

Messing around with the batting order rarely works, as the Birmingham Bears have found out to their cost.

Jeetan Patel launches Jack Shantry for a massive six into the Bears dugout, where it is well-held by Birmingham's Laurie Evans.

However in the next over Patel charges down the wicket to Brett D'Oliveira and is stumped with ease for 11. It's falling apart slightly for Birmingham.

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@jonny_brownlee

Olympic bronze medallist Jonathan Brownlee: "Great evening to be back at Headingley. Not for the Rhinos this time. Come on @Yorkshireccc."

Looking through the Yorkshireman's Twitter feed, he's been to Wimbledon and Leeds Rhinos v St Helens in the last week. He's currently recovering from a leg fracture.

Durham have mounted a slight recovery up at Headingley, with Graham Clark smashing Matthew Fisher for consecutive boundaries.

Yorkshire have had the last laugh by removing the evergreen Paul Collingwood, caught by Tim Bresnan off the bowling of Will Rhodes for five.

Adil Rashid has just begun his first over, and he has instant success as Michael Richardson drills a drive straight back to the bowler.

Could Ravi Bopara have started an unlikely comeback?

Middlesex cruise along at nine-an-over, but Bopara then sends both openers back to the pavilion in his first over.

Nick Gubbins is trapped lbw for 22 off 19 balls and three balls later Dawid Malan is bowled for 19 off 15.

KEY WICKET Hales (c A Hughes b C Hughes 54)

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That's a huge moment for Derbyshire, with Alex Hales caught in the deep trying the slog sweep. It was an all-Hughes combination that did the trick, with Chesney the bowler and Alex taking the catch.

Hales will be livid with himself having reached 50 only two balls previously with successive boundaries off Alex Hughes. He was just starting to get into full stride too.

BBC Hereford & Worcester's Frank Watson: "Varun Chopra is absolutely livid with himself. He struck the ground in dismay, he knew he was out. Since McCullum was out, the Rapids have been unfazed by Patel."

CALAMITY AT NEW ROAD

Varun Chopra makes a meal of Saeed Ajmal's first ball, trying to take a quick single but he's run out with ease by Joe Leach at mid-wicket.

The Birmingham captain has left the field holding his shoulder after attempting to dive back to his crease.

Continuing their big-hitting theme, Birmingham have sent Rikki Clarke in at five, and he'll be facing Saeed Ajmal first up. Nice way to be welcomed to the crease.

KEY WICKET Carberry (c Roy b Burke 18)

After a relatively quiet start, Michael Carberry begins his assault, whacking four successive boundaries off the James Burke's first over.

But Burke has his revenge! After a wide ball, Carberry's next attempt finds Jason Roy and the opener goes for 18 off eight balls.

Important wicket that, but still a big start from Hampshire who have started at nine-an-over.

It might be a tough chase for Leicestershire, but they've certainly started like they mean business.

Skipper Mark Cosgrove (16 not out) has timed the ball well so far in setting the example, including a beautiful straight drive off the bowling of Jordan Clark.

This could be an interesting finish yet.

JEETAN PATEL IN AT THREE?!

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Anything Brendon McCullum can do, Tom Lewis can do better, as he launches Jack Shantry for another huge six.

However the slow pitch does for Lewis as he is caught at point by Ross Whiteley for just eight.

Surprisingly, Birmingham have sent Jeetan Patel in at three - the bowler has had a relatively quiet season with the bat so far. He launches his first ball high in the air, where it falls just short of Saeed Ajmal.

Glamorgan have started brightly with Jacques Rudolph leading the way with three early boundaries.

Colin Ingram takes Tymal Mills for two boundaries in three balls, but the Sussex bowler has his revenge, having the opener caught behind by Craig Cachopa for nine.

EARLY WICKETS

Golden arm Glenn Maxwell is continuing his knack of taking a wicket in the first over as Phil Mustard is caught in the deep.

Mark Stoneman then prods forward but can only edge Maxwell to Tim Bresnan at slip, leaving Durham struggling early on.

They may take some comfort from their record - they have won four of their last five T20 games against Yorkshire, and those four games have always been won by the team batting first.

BBC Hereford & Worcester's Graham Hill: "We haven't seen Saeed Ajmal yet. I think Saeed Ajmal's four overs could go along way to deciding this game tonight. If he can keep it tight and get key wickets I think the rapids can be in this one."

A poor ball from Abdur Rehman gets the full treatment from Joe Denly as he thumps a pull over square leg for six.

Generally, though, the Kent batsman are finding it hard to time the ball on this pitch in the opening stages.

While Notts' Samit Patel takes his time to play himself in, the buzz has gone out of a big crowd at Trent Bridge as Derbyshire have pegged it back after leaking runs early on.

The last five overs have yielded only 24 runs and visiting captain Wes Durston will be happy with that at the halfway point of the Outlaws innings.

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BBC London 94.9's Kevin Hand: "Middlesex play Surrey at Lord's on Thursday and they're expecting a crowd of around 28,000. That doesn't matter whether Middlesex are bottom of the group or not."

It's a little different in picturesque Richmond, where the crowd isn't quite as sizeable, but the Middlesex fans are being entertained because their team are doing the business on the field against Essex.

OFF TO A FLIER

Nick Gubbins and Dawid Malan begin the run chase against Essex, needing just a smidge more than six-per-over.

And the Middlesex openers start well, Gubbins taking back-to-back boundaries as Reece Topley's second over goes for 14.

Malan gets in on the act against Shaun Tait whose first over goes for nine. Middlesex need wickets, and fast.

BBC Hereford & Worcester's Frank Watson: "Joe Leach has just celebrated like he scored the winning goal in a cup final and is mobbed by his team-mates.

"What Worcestershire have to do it get themselves back into reality as he is only one man. Birmingham have lots down the order, but McCullum, the dangerman, is gone.

Graham Hill adds: "I sense a bit of disappointment in the crowd as there hasn't been much big hitting this evening."

KEY WICKET McCullum (b Leach 15)

Joe Leach's second ball is a decent length and Brendon McCullum picks it up and launches it over the scoreboard.

It goes over the scoreboard, over the trees and into the car park behind the ground. I feel for whoever left their car in there...

But it's Leach who has the last laugh as McCullum takes a huge swipe across the line and is clean bowled. Leach is mobbed by his grateful teammates - and the spectators who left their cars in the car park!

The crowd at New Road are in two minds - they want Worcestershire to win but they also really want to see Brendon McCullum do what Brendon McCullum does.

Varun Chopra takes a single from the first ball, before McCullum leaves his first delivery from Jack Shantry - and he's greeted with an ironic round of applause.

Shantry's final ball is down the legside and McCullum gratefully helps it on its way to the boundary.

It's a fairly even start at Trent Bridge, but Derbyshire will be a little wary that a certain Alex Hales is still at the crease.

The England man's on 24 from 17 balls with just one six so far. But there's plenty of time for that to change...

Michael Lumb and Riki Wessels are the men back in the pavilion.

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Martin Emmerson

BBC Newcastle's Martin Emmerson at Headingley: My office tonight. Top floor on the right. The view is similar to Abu Dhabi in height and distance.

TEAM NEWS

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Durham have won the toss at Headingley and will bat first against struggling Yorkshire.

The Tykes have handed a debut to 19-year-old Josh Shaw, while Adil Rashid, Will Rhodes and Alex Lees return to the side.

Durham have made two changes to the side that lost to Worcestershire last Friday, with Michael Richardson and Graham Clark making an appearance.

Durham: Stoneman (capt), Mustard, Clark, Collingwood, Muchall, Arshad, Pringle, Hastings, Richardson, Borthwick, Rushworth.

Yorkshire: Gale (capt), Finch, Lees, Bairstow, Maxwell, Leaning, Bresnan, Rhodes, Rashid, Fisher, Shaw.

INNINGS BREAK

The dismissal of Paul Horton for 63 brought little respite for Leicestershire in the closing overs here at Grace Road, as Steven Croft carried on the Lightning momentum by becoming the third centurion of the innings, bringing up his 50 from just 25 balls.

His run out in the final over without adding to that score came a little too late as far as the hosts were concerned, and they will have to score at 9.55 runs per over when they come to bat to win this one.

You have to say that Clint McKay's figures of 1-26 look pretty decent in the circumstances.

TEAM NEWS

Surrey have won the toss and have put hosts Hampshire into bat at the Ageas Bowl.

Hampshire bring in batsman Joe Gatting as their only change from the side which lost to Glamorgan last Friday.

In-form Surrey have won their last three, but are without wicket-keeper Gary Wilson, away on World T20 qualifying duty with Ireland, and paceman Matthew Dunn who has a side injury.

Hampshire: Carberry, Vince (capt), Shah, Wheater, Gatting, Smith, Berg, Arafat, Bird, Briggs

Surrey: Roy, T. Curran, Sangakkara, Solanki, Foakes, Mahmood, Ansari, Burns, Burke, Batty (capt), S. Curran.

Leading the way...

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Kent have enjoyed a fine T20 Blast campaign so far and lead the way in the South Group.

Their skipper has played a key part in their success with 533 runs, second only behind Gloucestershire's Michael Klinger.

So who else is smashing boundaries? Here's the rest of the top five...

Michael Klinger - Gloucestershire - 66

Luke Wright - Sussex - 60

Jacques Rudolph - Glamorgan - 56

Paul Stirling - Middlesex - 55

TEAM NEWS

Somerset have won the toss and chosen to field first at Canterbury against Kent.

Kent have brought in Joe Denly and Calum Haggett in place of Adam Ball and Ivan Thomas, with the hosts having won their last three T20 clashes against Somerset.

The visitors, meanwhile, have named an unchanged side from that beaten comprehensively by eight wickets last time out against Gloucestershire.

Kent: Bell-Drummond, Denly, Northeast (capt), Billings, Cowdrey, Stevens, Blake, Coles, Haggett, Tredwell, Claydon

Somerset: Myburgh, Allenby, Trego, Hildreth, Cooper, Ronchi, Groenewald, J Overton, Waller, Rehman, Thomas (capt)

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@hantscricket

Hampshire on Twitter: "Beautiful weather at @TheAgeasBowl!"

TEAM NEWS

Glamorgan have won the toss and will bat first against fellow top four side Sussex at Hove.

Second-placed Sussex have no fresh injury worries, but remain without Jimmy Anyon, Chris Jordan and Ajmal Shahzad.

Glamorgan include Dean Cosker in their squad, fresh from his 12th man duties for England yesterday, and England under 19s batsman Aneurin Donald is in for Chris Cooke who is unavailable for family reasons.

Sussex: Wright (capt), Nash, Cachopa, Machan, Bailey, Finch, Beer, Yardy, Robinson, Mills, Liddle

Glamorgan: Rudolph (capt), Ingram, Wright, Donald, Lloyd, Wallace, Meschede, Salter, Wagg, Cosker, Hogan

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BBC Hereford & Worcester's Graham Hill: "Brett D'Oliveira has played beautifully. Worcestershire hit 56 runs off the last five overs of that.

"I think Worcestershire will be delighted with 160-5 in the end, it didn't look likely at the start. 20 minutes ago Worcestershire were out of this game, but now they are very much in the game.

"There's a lot of batting in the Birmingham team. Yes, Brendon McCullum is a great batsman, but they bat really far down the order."

SMASHING END TO THE INNINGS

Three of Recordo Gordon's six deliveries are a good line and length but Brett D'Oliveira somehow top-edges a pull shot for a huge six.

It's sailed into the stands and through the window of the ladies pavilion - presumably the cost of repairs will be coming out of D'Oliveira's pay packet?

D'Oliveira registers a fine half-century from just 29 deliveries and smashes the final ball for a huge six as Worcestershire set Birmingham Bears 161 to win.

BBC Essex commentator Dick Davies: "Middlesex have got to bat very, very badly if Essex are going to win this game. The Essex scorecard makes very sorry reading."

Only four Essex batsmen made it to double figures.

OH DEAR ESSEX!

Essex are put out of their misery as they are bowled out for 109 with two overs of their allocation still to bat.

James Franklin removes Graham Napier, who gave Nick Gubbins a hat-trick of catches, and then bowls Shaun Tait to finish with 3 for 12 and wrap up a below-par innings.

Middlesex must fancy their chances of only their third win of the season.

Final over coming up at New Road and there's been some sloppy death bowling from the Birmingham Bears.

Oliver Hannon-Dalby in particular has gone around the park, finishing with figures of 4-0-43-0, as Brett D'Oliveira launches a full delivery for four.

The fifth ball of the over is another low full toss and Ben Cox picks it off his toes to get another boundary. Just the 13 from that over...

PAUL HORTON HITS 50 (38 balls, 7 fours)

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The tidal wave of runs shows no signs of abating at Grace Road. Paul Horton has raced past fifty in continuing to improve on his previous best T20 blast score of the season of 27 and partner Steven Croft has been scoring at more than two runs per ball.

Leicestershire look up against it, especially with plenty of Lightning batsman still to come, if needed.

BBC WM's Rob Gurney by the dugouts at New Road: "He was almost lobbed on the boundary but managed to just adjust his feet in the nick of time and take the high catch.

"Maybe the initiative is shifting in favour of the Birmingham Bears and as I say that a smile comes across the face of director of cricket Dougie Brown."

Birmingham Bears' leading wicket-taker, Recordo Gordon, has snared another as Ross Whiteley is caught for three.

Gordon's next ball however is slow and wide and slogged by Brett D'Oliveira for four.

It'll be interesting to see how Saeed Ajmal goes on such a slow New Road pitch...

ESSEX STRUGGLING

James Foster hits Ollie Rayner for three boundaries in four balls, but in the next over Liam Dawson (22) is caught at long-on by Nick Gubbins off Dawid Malan.

Essex finally reach three figures, but Foster is bowled off the very next ball as he tries to sweep Ollie Rayner whose final over goes for just one run.

Paul Horton struggled early on for Lancashire, but he is really getting into his stride now, moving onto 43, while the in-form Steven Croft has hit out from the off to move to 28 from 13 balls, which has included a huge straight six.

The previous over from Grant Elliott went for 19 and this last one from Rob Sayer has fared little better, disappearing for 18 as the third wicket pair have brought up the 50 stand in just 4.2 overs.

Oliver Hannon-Dalby has been attempting to go full and straight but it's all gone a bit pear shaped for the right-armer.

His first ball is a full toss that Brett D'Oliveira imperiously swats for six. The fourth ball disappears into the crowd in much the same fashion.

Worcestershire take 16 from the over, the most expensive of the innings, and 150 looks like it might be on the cards.

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@surreycricket

Surrey Cricket: "All set in the commentary box..even got a sofa."

Getting comfortable there at the Ageas Bowl. Also, don't you just love how old school that commentary gadget looks?

TEAM NEWS

After winning the toss, Nottinghamshire have decided to bat first on what looks like a decent batting wicket.

England one-day batsman James Taylor returns from a hamstring injury to captain the Outlaws, who are out to avenge last Friday night's defeat to Worcestershire.

Derbyshire Falcons have named left-arm seamer Greg Cork, son of former England player Dominic, in their side, as they bid to record a T20 double over their East Midlands rivals by winning at Trent Bridge.

Derbyshire: Rutherford, Durston (capt), C Hughes, Madsen, Godleman, Thakor, A Hughes, Knight, Poynton, Cork, Rimmington.

Nottinghamshire: Hales, Lumb, Wessels, Patel, Taylor (capt), Christian, Mullaney, Read, Wood, Ball, Gurney.

KEY WICKET Kohler-Cadmore (c Evans b Poysden 66)

Commentator's curse there, as Tom Kohler-Cadmore's fine innings come to an end.

He had played the spin of Josh Poysden well but had a huge lunge at the legspinner and was caught on the mid-wicket boundary for 66.

Poysden has finished with excellent figures of 4-0-20-2 as Ross Whiteley joins Brett D'Oliveira at the crease.

James Foster and Liam Dawson up the pace for the visitors as Dawson smashes Ravi Patel for a maximum and Foster strokes the same bowler for four.

They take 13 off the 13th over, but the run rate is still just a touch above six as Middlesex maintain the pressure.

KOHLER-CADMORE IS ON FIRE!

Tom Kohler-Cadmore has hit the first six of the innings, a glorious straight drive that sailed over a faintly impressed Brendon McCullum.

Worcestershire have built this innings nicely, particularly after losing captain Daryl Mitchell in the first over.

Anything above 140 could make for a tricky chase, and this slow pitch might negate the McCullum factor.

After that lovely picture of Trent Bridge, Nottinghamshire director of cricket Mick Newell has had his say ahead of the big local derby against Derbyshire.

"We need to win four out of four and that will get us through. That's what we're targeting and tonight is first," he said.

"We have a top three that likes to bat aggressively. Our top five will work if they play to their potential."

Notts are seventh in the North Group, two points off fourth, while Derbyshire are bottom of the table.

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Derbyshire Cricket

Derbyshire on Twitter: "Punters beginning to pile in to Trent Bridge."

KOHLER-CADMORE HITS 50 (38 balls, 6 fours)

A very nice half-century from Tom Kohler-Cadmore will have settled Worcestershire's nerves.

He hasn't found the boundary as regularly as before, but he has dealt well with Birmingham Bears' twin spin threat.

KEY WICKET Brown (run out 50)

That was Daddy Cool by Mark Cosgrove!

The Leicestershire captain became a dad this week and has celebrated by running out the in-full-flow Karl Brown with a brilliant under-arm backhand throw. Could that be a game changer?

BBC London 94.9's Kevin Hand: "Essex are in trouble now. The one thing is, they do bat a very long way down."

BBC Hereford & Worcester's Graham Hill: "That was brilliant from Tim Ambrose. We were saying that Worcestershire needed to keep wickets, but that's another one gone."

KEY WICKET Munro (st Ambrose b Patel 8)

Josh Poysden and Jeetan Patel have slowed Worcestershire down with some clever bowling.

An excellent piece of wicket-keeping has seen the end of Colin Munro. Patel dragged the ball down and Tim Ambrose quickly whipped the bails off.

Munro might be in for a bit of a telling off from the ECB - there were a few words in the direction of the square-leg umpire as he left the field...

KEY WICKET (Bopara c Gubbins b Finn 15)

Essex in real trouble now as Ravi Bopara tries to attack Steven Finn, but only succeeds in skying his final ball to Nick Gubbins.

Essex will be glad to see the back of Finn who finishes with 4 for 28.

KARL BROWN HITS 50 (31 balls, 6 fours, 2 sixes)

A second T20 Blast fifty of the season for Karl Brown, who reaches that landmark by turning spinner Jigar Naik into the legside for a single.

Superb timing has been a notable feature of the right-hander's innings, helping him hit six fours and two sixes so far.

WICKETS TUMBLING!

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Middlesex may have lost 11 of their last 13 home games in the T20 Blast, but they have an excellent chance of improving that miserable record.

Steven Finn sends two more batsmen packing, a sublime diving catch from Dawid Malan undoing Tom Westley for 12, before Essex skipper Ryan ten Doeschate is trapped leg before for just one.