The 2023 Vitality Blast has swung quickly into action, with generally lovely weather helping to fulfil all matches with very few interruptions.
Perennial contenders Somerset have stormed the South Group thus far, winning five from five with their strong-looking lineup. Worcestershire have been the surprise package of the North Group, winning each of their four matches so far.
Jos Buttler's t20 Blast return with Lancashire has not yielded success just yet, but Wayne Madsen has continued to age like a proverbial fine wine for Derbyshire.
James Vince has now passed Luke Wright to become the leading t20 Blast runscorer in the 20-year history of the competition, while also recently smoking yet another t20 hundred for Hampshire.
Leicestershire, despite the signing of Pakistan international Naseem Shah, are rooted to the bottom of the North Group with no wins from five. That is the same fate that has greeted Middlesex, who have come close to winning matches but have so far been unable to get over the line with their largely inexperienced side.
Who have been the stars of the Vitality Blast 2023 so far?
It may be fairly early days, but there have been a few players who have stood out so far in the 2023 Blast. The obvious standout is Madsen, who has scored 348 runs in just five innings at a strike rate of 154.7. He has passed fifty in each of those five visits to the middle, with an unbeaten 109 the highlight.
Embed from Getty ImagesHistory maker Vince is not far behind him, scoring 280 in his four outings at a strike rate of 172.8. His hundred against Essex showed why he is the Blast's highest-ever scorer and 18th in all-time t20 history. Dawid Malan, Colin Ingram, Daryl Mitchell, Alex Hales and Sam Hain have all passed 200 runs already, with each being known commodities either in domestic t20 cricket or indeed world cricket.
Joining them in the 200 club is Glamorgan's Chris Cooke, the 37-year-old who struck his first t20 hundred in his 123rd innings in a brutal 113* against Middlesex alongside Ingram. Somerset pair Tom Banton and Tom Kohler-Cadmore have been at their aggressive best, with the former seemingly having rediscovered his best form and the latter continuing his own.
Bowling-wise, three players have reached double figures in terms of wickets taken. Basil D'Oliveira, Pat Brown and Ben Green have each helped themselves to 11 wickets, with the first two averaging almost a wicket an over.
Embed from Getty ImagesLeg-spinner Nathan Sowter has proven to be a tidy signing for Durham, taking nine wickets in four matches so far and boasting an economy of just 5.18. Lewis Gregory, Danny Briggs, Ben Raine and Suni Narine have all taken eight wickets with an economy of less than 6.10.
Michael Hogan has shown he has still got it after coming out of retirement to play for Kent, having taken eight wickets so far. His former Glamorgan teammate Dan Douthwaite has shown why Michael Hussey and the Welsh Fire were keen to secure his services for the Hundred 2023 with nine scalps of his own.
21-year-old Oliver Price of Gloucestershire has shown promise, with his off-breaks taking seven wickets in five games. His teammate Ben Charlesworth has also impressed, with the 22-year-old scoring two half-centuries in four innings in what is his first taste of the Blast.
Vitality Blast 2023 results: match-by-match mini reviews
Match 1 - Derbyshire vs Lancashire
Lancashire Lightning triumphed over Derbyshire Falcons by four wickets in the 2023 Vitality Blast opener at Edgbaston. Falcons set a par total of 179/5, anchored by Wayne Madsen's elegant half-century. Lightning chased down the target, reaching 183-6 with four balls remaining, courtesy of Luke Wells' explosive maiden T20 fifty (66 off 35 balls).
Despite missing star players, Lightning comfortably secured victory. Wells and George Bell's rapid 59-run opening stand propelled them and Daryl Mitchell's aggressive 31 off 19 balls ensured a convincing win.
Embed from Getty ImagesMatch 2 - Birmingham vs Yorkshire
Sam Hain's brilliance shone once again as Birmingham Bears comfortably defeated Yorkshire Vikings by 34 runs in their Vitality Blast opener at Edgbaston. The Bears amassed an imposing 200-6, thanks to Hain's unbeaten 83 off 46 balls and Chris Benjamin's rapid 46 off 28 deliveries. Despite losing Hassan Ali to injury, the Bears' bowling attack proved formidable.
Chris Woakes claimed two wickets in his opening spell, reducing the Vikings to 34-5. They could only manage 166 all out, with Henry Brookes taking 4-32. The comprehensive victory continued the trend of one-sided encounters between the two teams.
Match 3 - Northamptonshire vs Worcestershire
Worcestershire Rapids secured a 15-run victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks in their Vitality Blast opener. Adam Hose's explosive 61 off 40 balls, backed by Usama Mir's all-round brilliance, guided the Rapids to 196-9. Mir's superb leg-spin then accounted for three crucial wickets, while Brett D'Oliveira contributed with three scalps of his own.
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite a positive start, Northamptonshire faltered and ended on 181-8 after losing five wickets for 26 runs. Mitchell Stanley dismissed Chris Lynn, while Mir dismantled the middle order. Worcestershire captain D'Oliveira also played a vital role, dismissing key batsmen.
Match 4 - Kent vs Gloucestershire
Kent Spitfires delivered a dominant performance in their opening Vitality Blast fixture against Gloucestershire. With a near full house at Canterbury, Kent chased down the target of 113 with ease, reaching 116 for 3 with 6.3 overs to spare. Michael Hogan claimed 3 for 13, supported by Grant Stewart, Jack Leaning and Kane Richardson, as Gloucestershire crumbled to a mere 113 all out.
Chris Dent top-scored with 55, but his teammates struggled to contribute. In Kent's reply, Joe Denly anchored the innings with an unbeaten 35, while Jordan Cox stole the show with a blistering 39 off 17 balls, sealing victory with a massive six.
Match 5 - Somerset vs Hampshire
Somerset exacted revenge on Hampshire Hawks with a resounding eight-wicket victory in the Vitality Blast. Opting to bowl first, Somerset's seamers Craig Overton (3-8) and Matt Henry (2-19) wreaked havoc, reducing the Hawks to 27 for 5. Hampshire never recovered, posting their lowest T20 total of 74 all out.
Ben Green (3-11) and Lewis Gregory (2-13) joined the demolition, while Overton impressed with four catches. Somerset comfortably chased down the target, reaching 74 for 2 in just 9.3 overs. Tom Banton's aggressive 40 off 24 balls set the tone, with Tom Kohler-Cadmore (18 not out) contributing the finishing blows.
Embed from Getty ImagesMatch 6 - Lancashire vs Leicestershire
Lancashire's star-studded team provided Liam Livingstone a triumphant start to his captaincy reign with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Leicestershire in the Vitality Blast. Opting to bat, Leicestershire faltered against Luke Wood's fiery pace during the powerplay, managing a paltry 99 all out.
Wood claimed two wickets in the third over, supported by Saqib Mahmood's impressive spell of 3-17. Lancashire cruised to victory in just 12 overs, with Steven Croft's unbeaten 46 leading the way.
Match 7 - Middlesex vs Surrey
The Curran brothers, Sam and Tom, played pivotal roles in Surrey's resounding 77-run victory over Middlesex in the T20 Blast London derby at Lord's. Sam, who returned from a generally underwhelming IPL stint with Punjab Kings, vented his frustrations by smashing 68 off 47 balls, while Tom was equally aggressive with a blistering 50 off 33 balls.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe duo combined for a partnership of 118 runs in just 11 overs. Will Jacks had also earlier contributed a quickfire 43 to propel Surrey to a commanding total of 199 for 6. Middlesex struggled in their chase and could only manage 126, despite Max Holden's defiant knock of 43. Jacks continued his impressive performance by taking 3-17 with the ball, well-supported by Gus Atkinson's 3 for 20.
Middlesex captain Stephen Eskinazi's early run-out set the tone for their disappointing batting display, despite Joe Cracknell and Pieter Malan providing brief resistance. However, Middlesex lost wickets at regular intervals and ultimately fell well short of the target.
Match 8 - Worcestershire vs Yorkshire
Adam Finch's explosive hitting in the final over secured a thrilling two-wicket victory for Worcestershire Rapids over Yorkshire Vikings in their Vitality Blast match at New Road. Needing 19 runs from the last over bowled by Matthew Fisher, Finch smashed three consecutive sixes to complete the chase with one ball to spare.
Finch's unbeaten 30 off just ten deliveries proved to be the match-winning innings for the Rapids. Yorkshire's David Wiese, on his debut, had played a key role with both bat and ball, scoring 15 runs and taking 3 wickets, but his efforts were overshadowed by Finch's late heroics.
Yorkshire's total of 175 for 9 was built around contributions from Matthew Revis (42) and Jordan Thompson (36), while Pat Brown took three wickets for Worcestershire. The victory marked Yorkshire's 11th winless match, extending their poor run from last August.
Match 9 - Northamptonshire vs Durham
Legspinner Nathan Sowter shone with a career-best bowling performance of 5 for 15, triggering a collapse for Northamptonshire Steelbacks, who could only manage 137 in their Vitality Blast clash against Durham.
In response, Durham's opener Graham Clark was unstoppable, smashing an unbeaten 102 off just 49 balls, securing his first T20 century and guiding Durham to a resounding ten-wicket victory with 6.4 overs to spare.
Embed from Getty ImagesMatch 10 - Gloucestershire vs Glamorgan
Glamorgan emerged victorious in a thrilling Vitality Blast encounter against Severnside rivals Gloucestershire in Bristol. Chasing 162 for their first win in the South Group campaign, Glamorgan initially cruised towards the target with Colin Ingram and Kiran Carlson's 69-run partnership.
However, David Payne's exceptional bowling performance of 3-17 brought Gloucestershire back into the game, leaving Glamorgan needing 15 runs from 12 balls.
Timm van der Gugten's two sixes and Ruaidhri Smith's maximum in the final over secured a nerve-wracking two-wicket win for Glamorgan with five balls to spare. Ben Charlesworth's top-score of 56 for Gloucestershire went in vain as their batting order failed to fire once again.
Match 11 - Nottinghamshire vs Derbyshire
On his 27th birthday, Joe Clarke showcased his explosive batting skills by smashing 68 runs off just 29 balls, setting the stage for Nottinghamshire Outlaws' four-wicket victory over local rivals Derbyshire Falcons in their Vitality Blast season opener.
Embed from Getty ImagesMatthew Montgomery, highly regarded by Nottinghamshire, marked his county debut in the T20 format with a composed 51, guiding the Outlaws to a comfortable win with 18 balls remaining. Despite Zak Chappell's 2-29 and George Scrimshaw's late burst of three wickets in five balls, the Falcons' total of 178-6 was not enough to challenge Nottinghamshire's strong batting performance.
Wayne Madsen and Luis Reece's half-centuries in a 112-run partnership seemed promising for the Falcons, but Nottinghamshire's bowlers fought back well to restrict their opponents.
Match 12 - Surrey vs Kent
Sean Abbott's incredible T20 innings at the Kia Oval left spectators astounded. On his Surrey debut, Abbott smashed a blistering unbeaten century off just 41 balls, equalling Andrew Symonds' record for the joint-fastest T20 hundred in England and the fourth fastest in T20 history. His knock, comprising four fours and 11 sixes, propelled Surrey to a dominant victory over Kent.
Embed from Getty ImagesAbbott's unexpected heroics showcased his batting prowess, previously unnoticed in his lower-order role. Abbott's extraordinary performance came in only his second professional hundred and on his T20 debut for Surrey at the Kia Oval. Coming in when Surrey was struggling at 64-4, he unleashed a flurry of powerful strokes, taking full advantage of his lower-order role.
As the innings progressed, Abbott's hitting became more audacious, with George Linde and Kane Richardson bearing the brunt of his onslaught. Surrey added 105 runs in the final five overs, with Kent's bowling and fielding falling apart.
Despite Kent's strong start with the bat, highlighted by half-centuries from Daniel Bell-Drummond and Tawande Muyeye, they crumbled after Sunil Narine dismissed Bell-Drummond. Abbott finished the match without a wicket but with a beaming smile on his face, having played an unforgettable innings.
Match 13 - Leicestershire vs Birmingham
Birmingham Bears continued their perfect run in the Vitality Blast with a comfortable five-wicket win over Leicestershire Foxes. After the Foxes set a modest target of 166-7, the Bears chased it down with ease, reaching 167-5 with 15 balls remaining.
Debutant Glenn Maxwell made a powerful 47 off 27 balls, while Sam Hain remained unbeaten on 65 off 43 deliveries. The Bears' pursuit was hindered only by Callum Parkinson's impressive bowling, taking 4-33. Earlier, Danny Briggs shone with the ball, claiming 3-15. Leicestershire's struggles in the tournament continued, extending their winless streak.
Match 14 - Hampshire vs Middlesex
James Vince delivered a powerful statement to their Vitality Blast competitors as he led Hampshire Hawks to a resounding victory over Middlesex. Vince's unbeaten 88 off 55 balls guided the defending champions to an eight-wicket win.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe surpassed 5000 T20 runs during his explosive innings and now sits just 61 runs away from becoming the all-time leading run-scorer in the Blast. Pieter Malan's excellent 80 helped Middlesex set a target of 172, but Hampshire chased it down comfortably with 13 balls to spare.
Middlesex had promising contributions from Stevie Eskinazi, Malan and Ryan Higgins, but their innings unravelled in the end.
Match 15 - Sussex vs Somerset
Tom Kohler-Cadmore led Somerset to their second consecutive victory in the Vitality Blast, securing a five-wicket win over Sussex Sharks. Chasing a target of 184, Kohler-Cadmore's impressive 72, supported by skipper Tom Abell, guided Somerset to victory with three balls to spare.
The match was briefly halted when Kohler-Cadmore collided with Nathan McAndrew and debutant Shadab Khan while going for a high catch. Although Shadab had to leave the field, both players were ultimately okay. Sussex's Ravi Bopara played a stellar innings of 88, but with the absence of Shadab in the bowling attack, Somerset took control of the chase and emerged victorious.
Match 16 - Lancashire vs Nottinghamshire
Shaheen Shah Afridi's Nottinghamshire debut in the Vitality Blast ended in disappointment as Lancashire secured a commanding victory. However, it was Daryl Mitchell who stole the spotlight with an unbeaten 85 off 41 balls, including six sixes, guiding Lancashire to a formidable total of 208.
Despite Colin Munro's quickfire 60, Nottinghamshire faltered in their chase. The match highlighted Lancashire's dominance, with their impressive win putting them ahead in the head-to-head record against Nottinghamshire. With the likes of Livingstone and Buttler in their lineup, Lancashire's confidence is soaring and Mitchell's contribution adds further strength to their squad.
Match 17 - Yorkshire vs Durham
Yorkshire's struggles continued as they suffered a comprehensive 28-run defeat against Durham in a poorly publicised Sunday morning T20 match. Yorkshire's winless streak since August has taken a toll on the team's morale, exacerbated by internal conflicts over racism allegations.
Playing in front of a small crowd, Yorkshire appeared even weaker in the T20 format compared to their Championship performances, where they currently sit at the bottom of Division Two. Durham's Alex Lees led the charge with a powerful 90, guiding his team to a formidable total of 217.
Yorkshire's batting faltered, and their lack of a death bowler further compounded their woes. Amid the turmoil, the absence of Adil Rashid from the team remains unexplained, causing further speculation and discontent.
Match 18 - Surrey vs Sussex
Sussex Sharks secured an impressive five-wicket victory over Surrey in a thrilling Vitality Blast match at the Kia Oval. After restricting Surrey to 148, Sussex faced a challenging chase when they found themselves struggling at 57-4. However, a crucial partnership of 77 between Tom Alsop and Michael Burgess turned the tide in Sussex's favour.
Burgess played a remarkable innings, hitting two sixes and five fours, while Alsop provided a steady anchor. With one ball remaining, Sussex needed 10 runs and Alsop held his nerve to secure the win with a boundary. The victory was a result of great resilience and some exceptional performances from the Sussex players.
Match 19 - Somerset vs Glamorgan
In an exciting Vitality Blast match in Taunton, Somerset emerged victorious by four wickets against Glamorgan. Tom Banton played a sensational innings, scoring 54 runs off just 28 balls, to guide Somerset to an emphatic win with 5.1 overs remaining. Somerset won the toss and chose to field, executing disciplined bowling to restrict Glamorgan to 153 all out in 19.4 overs.
Roelof van der Merwe starred with the ball, claiming figures of 3-24, while Lewis Gregory and Peter Siddle also contributed with two wickets each. Ex-Somerset product Eddie Byrom top-scored for Glamorgan with 42, but their batting collapsed, losing nine wickets for 82 runs. Chasing the target, Somerset got off to a flying start with Banton and Will Smeed sharing a blistering opening partnership of 69 runs.
Banton's explosive innings, including nine fours and a six, set the foundation for the successful chase. Although he was dismissed in the tenth over, Somerset comfortably reached the target, with Ben Green striking the winning runs. Somerset's victory extended their unbeaten streak in the tournament, maintaining their position at the top of the South Group table.
Embed from Getty ImagesMatch 20 - Middlesex vs Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire clinched their first Vitality Blast win this season in a thrilling contest against Middlesex. Defending seven runs in the final over, Matt Taylor conceded just four as Ryan Higgins was run out off the last ball, leaving Middlesex agonisingly short of the target.
Miles Hammond's 59 guided Gloucestershire to 181-9. Middlesex seemed on track for victory with captain Stephen Eskinazi's half-century and a partnership of 55 from 30 balls between Higgins and Luke Hollman. However, they fell narrowly short. Eskinazi in particular expressed disappointment, acknowledging they would have won the game in most instances.
Match 21 - Birmingham vs Lancashire
The Birmingham Bears maintained their perfect start in the Vitality Blast and ended Lancashire Lightning's unbeaten streak with an impressive seven-wicket victory at Edgbaston. Lancashire's batting collapsed, losing their last seven wickets for just 36 runs, as Danny Briggs (4-15), Dan Mousley (3-13), and Jake Lintott (2-24) spun them to destruction.
Chasing a meagre target of 99, the Bears cruised to victory with openers Alex Davies (51*) and Rob Yates (30) adding an untroubled 50-run partnership. The Bears reached their target with 34 balls remaining, maintaining their dominant form in the tournament.
Match 22 - Worcestershire vs Leicestershire
Kashif Ali played a brilliant innings, scoring his maiden half-century in domestic t20 cricket, as Worcestershire maintained their unbeaten record with a 33-run victory over Leicestershire Foxes. After a shaky start, Worcestershire recovered thanks to Kashif's sparkling 69 and a useful contribution from Ben Cox.
Worcestershire's spinners, led by Brett D'Oliveira, Michael Bracewell and Usama Mir, bowled tightly in Leicestershire's reply and picked up wickets at crucial moments. Leicestershire struggled to build partnerships and eventually fell short of the target. With this win, Worcestershire secured their third consecutive victory in the tournament, while Leicestershire suffered their third defeat in a row.
Match 23 - Derbyshire vs Northamptonshire
David Willey made a triumphant return to Northamptonshire as the T20 Blast captain, leading his team to a hard-fought six-wicket victory over Derbyshire. Willey's all-round performance included four tight overs and a boundary catch, along with a crucial innings of 31 runs from number three. His leadership and contributions helped set the foundation for Northants' win.
Despite Derbyshire's efforts, Northamptonshire's strong top order and the inclusion of left-arm leg-spinner Freddie Heldreich provided them with the necessary firepower. Derbyshire struggled early on, losing wickets quickly, but Wayne Madsen and Brooke Guest staged a recovery with a 92-run partnership.
However, their total of 151 never seemed enough, and Northants comfortably chased it down with Saif Zaib playing a standout innings. This victory marked Northamptonshire's first win of the season under Willey's captaincy.
Match 24 - Durham vs Nottinghamshire
Alex Hales played a pivotal role in Nottinghamshire Outlaws' victory over Durham in the Vitality Blast. His unbeaten 65 runs guided his team to a five-wicket win with four balls to spare. Hales started aggressively, setting the pace before he then anchored the innings while his teammates played their shots.
Embed from Getty ImagesEarlier, Durham scored 168 with Ollie Robinson top-scoring. However, their late struggles in the final two overs cost them dearly. Hales' composed innings, along with contributions from Tom Moores and Shaheen Afridi, ensured Nottinghamshire's successful chase, bringing them back on the winning track in the tournament.
Match 25 - Essex vs Gloucestershire
Robin Das played a vital role in Essex's six-wicket victory over Gloucestershire in the Vitality Blast, with two not meeting in the middle at Chelmsford since 2016, following an astonishing five match abandonments.
The 21-year-old, coming off an impressive century on his first-class debut, smashed a stylish half-century to help Essex chase down the target of 196. Feroze Khushi's quickfire 34 and Tom Westley's unbeaten 31 provided valuable contributions as well. Gloucestershire had posted a formidable total, thanks to Ben Charlesworth's blistering fifty.
However, it wasn't enough as Das, with his powerful shots and 11 boundaries, guided Essex to victory. This win marked Essex's delayed start to the Blast season and condemned Gloucestershire to their third defeat in four matches.
Embed from Getty ImagesMatch 26 - Kent vs Somerset
Somerset secured their fourth consecutive victory in the Vitality Blast, defending a target of 154 against Kent in challenging conditions. Ben Green played a crucial role, returning to the field just in time to contribute with his impressive bowling performance of 3-19 in two overs. Kent never posed a serious threat as Somerset's experienced seamers delivered outstanding deliveries throughout the match.
Despite the inclement weather and cold temperatures, Somerset showed resilience and maintained their composure in the field. Somerset's total was boosted by Tom Lammonby's restrained 34 and an aggressive over from Roelof van der Merwe against Grant Stewart. Somerset's victory ensured their position at the top of the South Group standings.
Match 27 - Nottinghamshire vs Yorkshire
Yorkshire Vikings secured their first victory of the 2023 season in the Vitality Blast with an eight-run win over Notts Outlaws at Trent Bridge. Dawid Malan played a pivotal role, smashing 95 runs off 56 balls, while captain Shan Masood contributed 34 runs off 23 balls.
Yorkshire, electing to bat first, posted a total of 182-7. Despite Alex Hales scoring another half-century and Colin Munro's 46, Notts fell short in their chase. David Wiese was instrumental in Yorkshire's victory, taking 2-32 with the ball.
Jack Brooks, on loan from Somerset, impressed on his Outlaws debut by taking four wickets but conceded 51 runs. Yorkshire's win provided a much-needed boost in confidence just in time for their next challenge - the Roses game against Lancashire.
Match 28 - Middlesex vs Glamorgan
Against Middlesex at Merchant Taylor's School, Glamorgan registered their highest-ever T20 score of 238-3. Chris Cooke smashed an impressive 113 off 51 balls, while Colin Ingram contributed 92 off 66. Middlesex struggled with their bowling, conceding runs aplenty.
In reply, Middlesex got off to a good start with a 146-run partnership between Stephen Eskinazi and James Cracknell, but their innings fell apart as they lost wickets quickly. Glamorgan's spinners, led by Peter Hatzoglou, caused trouble and Middlesex fell short of the massive target. The match highlighted Middlesex's financial challenges and also the charm of outgrounds in county cricket.
Match 29 - Northamptonshire vs Birmingham
Birmingham Bears secured their fourth consecutive victory in the Vitality Blast with a 21-run win over Northamptonshire Steelbacks. Rob Yates played a superb innings, scoring his highest T20 score of 71 off 53 balls, supported by Alex Davies' 46 off 29 as the Bears set a challenging target of 202-6.
Embed from Getty ImagesNorthamptonshire started strongly with Ricardo Vasconcelos hitting 65 off 39 balls, but wickets fell at regular intervals. Craig Miles starred with career-best T20 bowling figures of 4-29. Despite some resistance from David Willey and Lewis McManus, the Steelbacks fell short of the target.
Match 30 - Hampshire vs Surrey
James Vince became the tournament's leading run-scorer with an unbeaten 88, surpassing Luke Wright's record. However, Will Jacks stole the show with a blistering knock of 83 not out, leading Surrey to a six-wicket victory. Hampshire set a total of 156, with Vince's innings forming the backbone.
Surrey's response was dominated by Jacks, who smashed eight sixes, including three against Mason Crane. Jacks' explosive batting propelled Surrey to victory with seven balls to spare, denting Hampshire's hopes of defending their title.
Match 31 - Sussex vs Essex
Essex captain Simon Harmer produced a remarkable performance as his team defeated Sussex Sharks by 25 runs in the Vitality Blast. Harmer became only the third Essex bowler to claim a hat-trick in T20 cricket, dismissing Tom Alsop, Shadab Khan and Michael Burgess with consecutive deliveries. Sussex struggled in their chase, losing early wickets, and eventually finished 138 all out.
Embed from Getty ImagesJames Coles, Tom Clark and Ollie Carter provided some resistance, but Harmer returned to claim four wickets and restrict Sussex's total. Earlier, Essex posted 163-7, with opener Feroze Khushi top-scoring with 55. Shadab Khan was the pick of the Sussex bowlers with 3-28.
Match 32 - Leicestershire vs Derbyshire
Wayne Madsen's unbeaten 109 guided Derbyshire Falcons to their first Vitality Blast 2023 win, edging out local rivals Leicestershire Foxes by three runs. Madsen's brilliant knock, including 12 fours and four sixes, powered the Falcons to 189 for 5. In response, the Foxes fought valiantly, with Colin Ackermann's unbeaten 59 and contributions from Rishi Patel and Rehan Ahmed, but fell just short.
Callum Parkinson's early strikes gave Derbyshire the advantage, while Madsen's exquisite timing and strokeplay dominated the innings. Despite a late collapse, the Falcons held on as George Scrimshaw held his nerve in the final over.
Match 33 - Yorkshire vs Lancashire
In a truly momentous Roses contest, Yorkshire emerged victorious with a 15-run win over Lancashire. This win, unexpected by many, could go as far as to potentially save Yorkshire Cricket Club, which has been facing off-field difficulties and financial troubles.
Dawid Malan played a crucial role, now having provided match-winning performances in back-to-back games, scoring 95 against Nottinghamshire and now 83 against Lancashire. Yorkshire shifted the balance with four wickets in the first seven overs of Lancashire's innings as they slipped to 64 for 4. Dom Bess' second ball, thrown wide of off stump, was slapped to mid-off by Jos Buttler second ball.
Luke Wells had threatened to change the game with 20 from his first five balls, but Ben Mike had his best five minutes in a Yorkshire shirt, first causing Wells to hole out in the deep then holding Phil Salt's return catch. Yorkshire's total of 195-6 seemed slightly below par, but early wickets and impressive contributions from Jordan Thompson and Matthew Revis secured the victory.
Match 34 - Durham vs Lancashire
Jos Buttler's prolonged availability for Lancashire in the Vitality Blast has not gone according to plan, as he experienced another failure in their third consecutive defeat, this time against Durham, who completed a six-wicket victory with 10 balls to spare.
Buttler's recent run of low scores has raised concerns about his form and impact in the tournament. Lancashire will be cautious about expecting too much from him, considering his limited appearances in county cricket over the years. Lancashire struggled to leave a mark at Chester-le-Street, where the demanding pitches made batting challenging.
Despite six double-figure scores, Steven Croft's 34 off 30 balls was the highest as Nathan Sowter, who thrived on the sluggish pitch, dismissed him and Tom Hartley. Durham's smart acquisitions of Sowter and Ollie Robinson have paid off, with Robinson contributing 39 in the Durham innings.
Lancashire's Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone had promising starts but failed to convert. Durham comfortably chased the target, with Lancashire's spinners unable to replicate Sowter's impact.
Embed from Getty ImagesMatch 35 - Glamorgan vs Kent
Glamorgan's top run-scorers, Colin Ingram and Chris Cooke, guided their team to another impressive victory in the Vitality Blast, this time against Kent. Chasing a target of 190, Glamorgan comfortably won by seven wickets with 18 balls to spare. Eddie Byrom laid a strong foundation, before Ingram and Cooke combined for a crucial 109-run partnership.
Kent had a good start with Tawanda Muyeye's career-best score of 62, but they faltered in the middle overs, failing to set a competitive total. Australian leg-spinner Peter Hatzoglou's breakthroughs brought Glamorgan back into the game and Kent couldn't find answers to the Cooke-Ingram duo, ultimately succumbing to defeat.
Match 36 - Somerset vs Middlesex
Somerset continued their dominant run in the Vitality Blast South Group by defeating winless Middlesex by nine wickets in Taunton. After winning the toss, Middlesex could only manage a modest 136 before being bowled out, with Ben Green taking four wickets and Josh Davey claiming three.
In response, Somerset cruised to victory, reaching 142 for one in just 13 and a half overs. Tom Kohler-Cadmore led the charge with a blazing 64 off 31 balls, while Tom Banton made 27 before retiring hurt. Middlesex's defeat left them without a point from their first five matches.
Match 37 - Northamptonshire vs Leicestershire
Chris Lynn delivered a sensational performance, scoring an unbeaten 106 runs, to lead Northamptonshire Steelbacks to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over the struggling Leicestershire Foxes. Lynn, who had struggled with his form earlier in the season, unleashed his power with five sixes and 13 fours, forming a crucial partnership of 81 runs with captain David Willey.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Steelbacks successfully chased down the target of 165 with seven balls to spare, showing signs of a team gaining momentum. Ben Sanderson also made an impact with three wickets in his first T20 game of the season, setting the tone for Northamptonshire's dominant display.
Match 38 - Derbyshire vs Birmingham
Wayne Madsen continued his scintillating form in the Vitality Blast as Derbyshire Falcons halted Birmingham Bears' winning streak with a 17-run victory. Madsen's unbeaten 71 off 52 balls guided the Falcons to a competitive total of 174-5, while Tom Wood's quickfire 39 provided crucial support. The Bears struggled in their chase, slumping to 45-4 in the powerplay.
Despite contributions from Dan Mousley and Ed Barnard, they fell short at 157-9 as Zak Chappell and Zaman Khan starred with three wickets apiece. Madsen's exceptional run and Derbyshire's disciplined performance sealed back-to-back wins.
Match 39 - Gloucestershire vs Surrey
Matt Taylor played a crucial role in Gloucestershire's thrilling victory over Surrey in the Vitality Blast. Taylor took 3-21 with the ball and remained unbeaten on eight during the chase as Gloucestershire successfully chased down the target of 125 with two wickets and five balls to spare.
Ollie Price top-scored with 25 and James Bracey contributed 22, while Sam Curran's impressive figures of 3-20 kept Surrey in the game until the final over. With a disciplined bowling performance, Gloucestershire restricted Surrey to 124-9. This win revived Gloucestershire's campaign, while Surrey suffered only their second loss, losing ground on the group leaders Somerset.
Match 40 - Nottinghamshire vs Worcestershire
Worcestershire Rapids continued their unbeaten streak in the Vitality Blast with a convincing 56-run victory over Notts Outlaws. Opting to bat first, Rapids posted a massive total of 226-5, the second-highest in their t20 history. Michael Bracewell, Adam Hose, Brett D'Oliveira and Jack Haynes made significant contributions, taking advantage of an understrength Outlaws bowling attack.
In response, Notts started well with Alex Hales' quickfire 71, but they faltered against D'Oliveira's career-best figures of 4-11 and Pat Brown's 4-25. Despite Shaheen Afridi's late onslaught, Outlaws were bowled out for 170, unable to mount a serious challenge to Rapids' imposing total.
Match 41 - Essex vs Hampshire
James Vince, who recently became the leading run-scorer in Blast history, continued his outstanding form by smashing his fifth T20 century as Hampshire Hawks crushed Essex. Vince's superb 103 laid the foundation for a massive target of 215, which proved insurmountable for the Eagles.
Nathan Ellis, Scott Currie and Liam Dawson wreaked havoc with the ball, ensuring Essex never stood a chance in their chase. Hampshire emerged victorious by a staggering 118 runs, bowling out Essex for a mere 96. This resounding win handed Essex their first t20 loss of the season.
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