Men’s T20 Blast: Northants Steelbacks secure eighth straight win

Northamptonshire Steelbacks maintained their perfect record in the T20 Blast by successfully chasing down a target of 185 to beat Gloucestershire by eight wickets in Bristol, making it an incredible eight wins from eight matches in the competition.

Half-centuries from David Willey (73) and Australian opener Nathan McSweeney (72 not out) helped the visitors reach their target with 16 balls to spare, extending their lead over Central and West Group second-placed Gloucestershire and effectively securing a home quarter-final in the knockout stages.

Elsewhere, Lancashire Lightning cruised to a narrow four-run win over Derbyshire Falcons in their third successive T20I blast as their new signing, Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan, took a half-century and three wickets.

A superb third-wicket partnership of 105 between Surrey’s Josh Phillipp and skipper Ollie Pope helped the Brown Caps to a seven-run win in a run-fest in Essex.

And in cross-pool play, Warwickshire Bears continued their white-ball improvement, tasting victory against Sussex Sharks.