Somerset go top, Middlesex end wait, Foxes in hunt
Somerset returned to winning ways and to the top of T20 Blast South Group after a thumping win at home to Hampshire HawksElsewhere in South Group, Essex remain winless after losing a see-saw battle to Middlesex by one run off the final ball - Middlesex's first T20 win at Lord's in exactly three years.In the North Group, Leicestershire cruised into second spot as they heaped more woe on Nottinghamshire.After dismissing the Outlaws for 156, Rehan Ahmed's maiden T20 half-century helped the Foxes home with four wickets in hand and more than two overs to spare.
Lewis Gs tee-up platform for win
Somerset made a fast start after being put in at Taunton and were 70-1 after 38 balls as Will Smeed brought up his half-century from 29 deliveries.When Smeed fell to Eddie Jack for 68 from 37 balls, with nine fours and three sixes, Somerset were 116-3 with more than nine overs to come, but the visitors battled back with Tom Abell, Sean Dickson and Ben Green departing for the addition of just 11 runs across 17 deliveries.Lewis Gregory and Lewis Goldsworthy came together at 127-6 with 38 balls remaining and posted a T20 club record stand of 82 for the seventh wicket as skipper Gregory eventually departed from the final ball for 55 from 27 balls, with Goldsworthy unbeaten on 29 from 16 balls in their total of 209-7.In reply, Lhuan-dre Pretorius and James Vince amassed 56 in the six-over powerplay but the South African was caught in the deep for 37 and Toby Albert soon followed as Hampshire were 95-2 in the 12th over.Vince (54) brought up his half-century from 29 deliveries with a six off Ben Green but was caught off the following ball.Dewald Brevis and Joe Weatherley needed an unlikely 103 from 7.2 overs and the game was effectively up when Weatherley (15) was run-out by Riley Meredith who then bowled James Fuller.Brewis hit four sixes in a 16-ball 36 but the Hawks eventually went down by 17 runs to stay fifth.
Helm holds nerve for first Lord's win since 2022
Despite being asked to bat first at Lord's it started well for Middlesex as Kane Williamson made a fine 53 from 31 deliveries and Max Holden weighed-in with 37 as the hosts reached 121-2 with 7.3 overs remaining.However, two wickets apiece from Essex spinners Simon Harmer and Luc Benkenstein, and 3-19 from Mohammad Amir saw Middlesex lose their final eight wickets for the addition of 40 runs in 44 balls as they were bowled out for a below-par 161.Dean Elgar (20) and Michael Pepper (25) amassed 52 before departing in consecutive balls, while Jordan Cox (23) and Paul Walter (30) added 54 for the third wicket before falling in quick succession with 52 still needed from 45 balls and the nerves beginning to jangle.When Matt Critchley (8) departed, Benkenstein and Charlie Allison needed 34 from 23 balls and 23 were still required from the final two overs.Although Ryan Higgins gave up 13 from the 19th, Tom Helm had Benkenstein caught at long-off for 20 and defended three off the final ball to win by one run.
Foxes looking up as Outlaws lose ground
After being put in at Leicester, Nottinghamshire were bowled out for a below-par 156 by their East Midlands neighbours in 19.3 overs.Lyndon James's 30 from 26 balls was the Outlaws' biggest contribution, although Daniel Sams hit three sixes in his 28 from 17 - but the Foxes were impressive with the ball, led by Logan van Beek, who took 3-15, and Tom Scriven (2-18).Chasing a modest target on what looked a good pitch, the home side eased home by four wickets with 14 balls to spare thanks largely to England's Ahmed, who hit 52 from 37 balls, sharing a 69-run fourth-wicket partnership with Foxes skipper Louis Kimber, who made 35 off 15 deliveries.
Friday's fixtures
North GroupDurham v Yorkshire (18:30 BST)Northamptonshire v Nottinghamshire (18:30 BST)Bears v Worcestershire (19:00 BST)Derbyshire v Lancashire (19:00 BST)South GroupGlamorgan v Somerset (18:30 BST)Surrey v Middlesex (18:45 BST)Essex v Kent (19:00 BST)Gloucestershire v Hampshire (19:00 BST)
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