Image source, Getty Images

Ravi Bopara stole the show with bat and ball as Essex beat Glamorgan by five wickets in Cardiff.

Fresh from a stint in the IPL, the all-rounder took 2-25 before smashing 81 not out from 53 balls.

Kent won against Hampshire in a dramatic match which saw the Spitfires score 108 runs from the final 9.2 overs as Alex Blake starred with an unbeaten 71 off just 30 balls.

Elsewhere, Birmingham Bears beat local rivals Worcestershire in a low-scoring game at Edgbaston and Yorkshire overcame Nottinghamshire by six wickets.

Durham's defeat at Leicestershire last night left North Group leaders Yorkshire as the only unbeaten side in the competition, but Mark Stoneman's side have a chance to put the Vikings in their place when the two sides meet at Chester-le-Street, while the second-placed Foxes hope to make it two wins in the space of 24 hours as they travel to New Road to meet Worcestershire Rapids.

There is no game this evening for South Group leaders Gloucestershire, so south-coast neighbours Sussex and Kent both have the chance to leapfrog them - Sussex will have home advantage as they meet Middlesex at Hove, while the Spitfires look to bounce back from last night's 115-run thrashing at Lord's as they take on fifth-placed Surrey at Beckenham.

So here is this evening's full menu (gratuities not included):

Kent v Surrey - Beckenham, 17:30 BST start

Worcestershire v Leicestershire - New Road, 17:30

Glamorgan v Hampshire - Cardiff, 18:30

Northants v Warwickshire - Wantage Road, 18:30

Derbyshire v Lancashire - Derby, 19:00

Durham v Yorkshire - Emirates, 19:00

Essex v Somerset - Chelmsford, 19:00

Sussex v Middlesex - Hove, 19:00

Tonight is the moment we have all been waiting for (well, maybe not Essex fans) as we finally get to see Chris Gayle play in our T20 competition for Somerset.

The big-hitting Jamaican holds most Twenty20 records - the highest number of runs, the most hundreds, more than 500 sixes - but is he the best T20 batsman in the game?

Let us know what you think.

Get in touch using #bbccricket on Twitter or on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Of course, there has been some pretty dismal weather across parts of the country earlier today and it could have a part to play in the cricketing entertainment on offer - but let's hope the only thing raining down on the crowds at the various grounds this evening are sixes.

Image source, Reuters

Chris Gayle isn't the only player who knows how to clout a cricket ball immense distances, so who else could shine this evening?

Joining the supporting cast tonight is Tillakaratne Dilshan, with 71 sixes and almost 4,000 T20 runs for Sri Lanka to his credit. He plays for Derbyshire against Lancashire.

And don't forget New Zealander Colin Munro, who 66 days ago smashed 23 maximums in making 281 off 167 balls for Northern Districts in Napier - an innings he will never forget.

This evening, he could be nailing 'em at New Road in a Worcestershire Rapids shirt as they play host to Leicestershire. If he finds that form again, all the Foxes bowlers will be able to do is pray.

Since hitting 12 sixes in making 117 off 57 balls for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Kings XI Punjab on 6 May, Gayle's highest score has been 41.

But will a change of scene relight his fire? Could it be magic? Have a little patience - stay with us and find out.

Image source, Getty Images

"All the stars are coming out tonight, they're lighting up the sky tonight, for you" - the words of songwriter laureate, and now Broadway composer, Gary Barlow. And in T20 cricket terms there are no stars brighter than Mr Christopher Henry Gayle. From Kingston to Kolkata, from Brisbane to Bulawayo - you name the place, he's hit the ball into the crowd there. And tonight, cricket fans in Chelmsford may be diving for cover when he strides out to the middle to make his Somerset debut. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome again to our live coverage of the T20 Blast.

Commentaries available on this page: (scroll through the live coverage tab to select your game)

Live scorecards available here

Worcestershire v Leicestershire - BBC Hereford and Worcester and BBC Radio Leicester

Kent v Surrey - BBC Radio Kent

Glamorgan v Hampshire - BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Solent

Northamptonshire v Birmingham - BBC Radio Northampton and BBC Coventry and Warwickshire

Derbyshire v Lancashire - BBC Radio Derby and BBC Radio Lancashire

Essex v Somerset - BBC Essex

Sussex v Middlesex - BBC Sussex

Durham v Yorkshire - BBC Newcastle and BBC Radio Leeds