Surrey remain on top of South Group after beating Middlesex in London derby
Birmingham Bears hit competition record 261-2 v Notts Outlaws, Sam Hain making 112 not out
Lancashire still lead North Group despite defeat by second-placed Northants Steelbacks
James Vince scores 100 as Hampshire Hawks beat 2021 winners Kent Spitfires
Essex Eagles defeat Sussex Sharks by 11 runs in high-scoring game at Chelmsford
Wins also for Yorkshire, Somerset and Leicestershire
Well any doubt about Northants’ credentials in this seasons’ Blast have to be put to be bed now.
That was a T20 clinic and they proved Lancashire’s total to be, as expected, massively under par.
They join the Red Rose on 13 points at the top of the North Group table, with Lancs still ahead on net run-rate.
Both sides with a foot in the knockout round now with five games to play.
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Credit to Notts Outlaws, they have really had a go at chasing this world record 262 to beat Birmingham Bears.
But they are big second favourites now after Danny Briggs removes Tom Moores and Steven Mullaney in successive balls to leave Notts 172-5.
They need 90 off 31 balls to pull off the most unlikely of victories.
Surrey win by seven wickets
Mark Church
BBC Radio London
What a way to finish it, that's gone miles!
That's gone into the middle of the stand we're sitting in and brings up Sunil Narine's 50.
Surrey win by seven wickets with four-and-a-bit overs to spare.
They look like an incredible side in this competition
Surrey 158-3 v Middlesex 155-8
Image source, Getty ImagesThat, as Mr Punch said, is the way to do it.
Sunil Narine smashes the first ball of the 16th over, bowled by Jason Behrendorff, over long-on for six to win the game and reach a 29-ball half-century.
He finishes with 51 not out, Ollie Pope is unbeaten on 37 and their unbroken stand was worth 73.
Surrey have seven wins from eight games - the other was a no-result - and they remain in charge of South Group, while Middlesex suffer their sixth successive defeat.
Surrey 152-3 (target 156)
Five singles for Surrey off Martin Andersson. No need to rush.
Northants 154-3 v Lancs 153-7
Saif Zaib with the winning boundary and Northants have cruised home with a mighty 22 balls to spare.
A thumping of Lancashire, who arrived top of the North Group.
Northants 149-3
Ben Curran takes Tim David for back-to-back fours to begin the 16th.
Jimmy Neesham then adds a third four in the over and Northants are just one hit away.
But Curran falls going for glory.
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It's still game on at Trent Bridge, but it's JUST advantage to Birmingham Bears as Joe Clarke has just been dismissed for 86.
Notts Outlaws, chasing 262, are 150-3 and still need 112 to win in 7.3 overs.
Yorkshire are closing in on victory over Durham at Chester-le-Street, with the hosts 109-6 chasing 202 to win.
At Taunton, Gloucestershire require 46 from 3.3 overs to beat Somerset with five wickets in hand.
And in the late games, Sussex are going well at 55-1 chasing 245 to beat Essex, while Kent are well behind the rate at the Ageas Bowl at 48-2, needing 174 more to win.
Surrey 147-3 (target 156)
Mark Church
BBC Radio London
This is the best Surrey T20 team I've seen.
It might be the best we've ever seen in 20 years of this competition because you could put this team up against anyone.
Surrey 147-3 (target 156)
Full toss by Tom Helm starts a new over, and is biffed over cover for four by Sunil Narine.
A bouncer follows and a top edge flies over the keeper for a maximum before Narine gives the crowd at mid-wicket some catching practice.
Time for some improvisation by Ollie Pope, but he can't beat the fielder at third man with a reverse sweep.
He is 35 not out and Narine has 42 off 25 balls.
Northants 135-2 (Target 154) v Lancs
That wicket may just delay the conclusion at Wantage Road.
And persuade one or two to head to the bar for a celebratory beverage.
Northants 133-2 (Target 154) v Lancs
Josh Cobb can’t bring the stump in as he holes out.
But it does clear the floor for a deserved fine reception for the Northants skipper.
Surrey 130-3 (target 156)
Luke Hollman gives the ball too much air and Sunil Narine thumps it straight down the ground for six - the ball dislodging a panel in the black sightscreen.
Stevie Eskinazi has a word with his bowler while repairs are carried out and Narine can only manage one from the next delivery, dabbed to point.
The over ends with a crashing cover drive from Ollie Pope, which brings him four and takes him to 35 not out.
Northants 133-1 (Target 154) v Lancs
A 28-ball fifty for Josh Cobb and he’s bringing his side home at a canter at the moment.
He launches a third six for good measure later in the over.
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Image source, PA MediaThe first result of the evening is in at the Uptonsteel County Ground where Leicestershire have eased to victory over Worcestershire.
Callum Parkinson, Naveen-ul-Haq and Ben Mike all took three wickets as the Rapids were restricted to 116-9.
Arron Lilley then hit 68 off 38 balls as the Foxes cantered to victory with 47 deliveries to spare.
Surrey 117-3 (target 156)
Suddenly, boundaries are proving hard to come by for Surrey. We haven't had one since the ninth over.
Three wides in Martin Andersson's opening over, though, mean it's a case of crisis, what crisis?
Northants 120-1 (Target 154) v Lancs
Josh Cobb says enough with the meandering and smokes Tom Hartley for six then four.
Just 34 more to win.
Northants 108-1 (Target 154) v Lancs
Tim David’s off breaks give Lancs some further respite but it’s only wickets that’s going to create any pressure here.
Surrey 108-3 (target 156)
Chris Green is wearing some vivid green footwear this evening - the last time we saw that colour, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap were dressed in suits of a similar shade in a 60s pop video.
Green finishes his four overs with 0-35 - but they need wickets if they are going to turn this match on its head.
Northants 104-1 (Target 154) v Lancs
Tom Hartley’s slow left arm is given a turn and only three from the over.
Northants in such a good spot to try and get this done quickly for a run-rate boost.