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Ravi Bopara stars for Essex as they seal T20 Blast win over Glamorgan

Ravi Bopara: Essex all-rounder
Image: Ravi Bopara: On form for Essex at Glamorgan

Ravi Bopara took two wickets and struck a match-winning 81 not out to help Essex past Glamorgan at Cardiff for their first win in this year's NatWest T20 Blast.

The all-rounder returned from IPL duty to stake his claim for a place in England's ODI side this summer with an impressive performance - his 2-25 helping Shaun Tait (3-28) restrict the Welsh side to 144-8 from their 20 overs.

Bopara then led the charge with the bat as he blasted five sixes in a thrilling 53-ball knock, enjoying company from Kishen Velani (29) as Essex eased home by five wickets to prevent their hosts moving top of the South Division.

At the Ageas Bowl, Alex Blake needed just 30 balls for a blistering 71no that saw Kent chase down a Hampshire target of 173.

Captain James Vince had done much of the leg work for the hosts with 66 and with help from Adam Wheater (36), ensured his side put 172-6 on the board from their 20 overs.

Sam Northeast (60no) appeared to be running out of partners as the Kent chase struggled initially, but Blake's aggression tipped the balance towards the visitors and he fittingly brought up the victory with sixth towering six.

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Watch highlights from Kent's T20 victory against Hampshire.

At Old Trafford, Mark Stoneman anchored the Durham innings with 57 to guide the visitors to a 16-run win over Lancashire at Old Trafford and keep them top of the North Division.

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The opener's well-crafted innings included eight fours and he received crucial support from the experienced Paul Collingwood (30) as Durham posted 150 despite George Edwards, Tom Bailey and Arron Lilley all picking up two wickets apiece.

Ashwell Prince was in dazzling form at the top of the Lancashire order as his 78 kept the hosts in with a chance of a successful chase but only Alviro Petersen put in any kind of audition for the role of second fiddle - Usman Arshad taking two wickets in as many overs to leave Lancashire stranded on 139-9.

At Grace Road, Leicestershire chased down 164 with an over to spare as Niall O'Brien's unbeaten 47 saw them past Derbyshire - their first win in any form of cricket this season.

Chesney Hughes struck a fluent 59 in a bright start for the visitors but three wickets from Jigar Naik skittled their middle order and only a valiant rearguard knock of 38no by Billy Godleman dragged the total up to 163-6.

Ned Eckersley (39) and Kevin O'Brien (31) put on 66 for the second wicket to set Leicestershire firmly on their way, and Niall's five fours and a six ensured he completed the run chase in partnership with Grant Elliott (21no).

At Taunton, Sussex recorded a second consecutive win as bowler Tymal Mills held his nerve in the final over to secure a five-run win over Somerset.

Luke Wright was the star of the show for the visitors with the bat - the all-rounder blasting two sixes in his 49 before Chris Jordan's 23-ball 37 propelled the Sussex total to 175-6 from their 20 overs.

The Somerset chase centred around opener Jim Allenby (79no) with the second highest score of the innings just 26, but when spinner Will Beer removed Tom Cooper and Sohail Tanvir cheaply, hope of success disappeared and Sussex edged home.

At Trent Bridge, Yorkshire had Liam Plunkett (2-17) and Andrew Gale (68no) to thank for a six-wicket victory over Nottinghamshire.

Samit Patel (41) and Steven Mullaney (38) batted with ambition to make a game of it by posting 143-7 but the intelligent variations of Plunkett and some smart wicket-keeping from Jonny Bairstow prevented any real momentum being built, making the visitors firm favourites at the halfway stage.

Gale set the tempo immediately as he and Andy Hodd put on 61 for the first wicket and, although Mullaney (2-27) did his best to stem the tide, Yorkshire cruised home for their second straight victory with seven balls to spare.

At Edgbaston, Rikki Clarke and Recordo Gordon snatched three wickets apiece to earn defending champions Birmingham an 18-run victory over Worcestershire.

The Bears batsmen failed to capitalise on starts and Will Porterfield and Tom Lewis top-scored with 27 while Brett D'Oliveira impressed with 2-21, leaving Worcestershire to chase a seemingly modest target of 145 for victory.

But although Daryl Mitchell (34) and Ross Whiteley (33) attempted to gain the initiative for the visitors, brilliant spells from Clarke (3-26) and Gordon (3-18) and two run outs decimated the innings, reducing Worcestershire to a disappointing 126 all out.

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