Northants Steelbacks began their Twenty20 title defence by recording a three-wicket win over Yorkshire Vikings on the second-to-last ball of their opening 2014 fixture.
Ben Duckett [39 not out] hit a six to help Northants make the 13 that they needed off the final over to pass Yorkshire's total of 162-7 at Headingley on Friday.
© Getty Images
The hosts were struggling on 87-6 in their innings, before Tim Bresnan (34 not out) and Liam Plunkett (36) helped them post a competitive score, which Northants chased down thanks partly to 42 from David Willey, who was the star in their final's day success last season, at the top of the order.
There was another extremely tight affair at Hove, where Sussex Sharks knocked off Surrey's total of 171-7 on the final ball with two wickets in hand, Yasir Arafat and Ben Brown seeing them over the line.
Luke Wright's 56, which included two maximums, helped the hosts get off to a quick start and meant that half-centuries from Surrey's Gary Wilson and Jason Roy were in a losing cause.
© Getty Images
Nottinghamshire Outlaws are well fancied for this year's competition, the first under the 'Blast' format, and they beat Lancashire Lightning by 33 runs, with several players staking their England claims.
Samit Patel top scored with a 56 which included six boundaries, while Michael Lumb and James Taylor made 39 and 30 respectively to help the Outlaws make 182-5 on a good Trent Bridge surface.
Although Jordan Clark smashed 44 off 20 deliveries at the back end of the innings, it was not enough for Lancs, who were always behind the rate. Steven Mullaney claimed 3-46 for Nottinghamshire.
© Getty Images
Former New Zealand international all-rounder Scott Styris scored 63 from 31 balls on his Leicestershire Foxes debut as the three-time champions beat Midlands rivals Derbyshire Falcons by 27 runs.
Josh Cobb chipped in with 38 to support Styris after Niall O'Brien was dismissed on the second ball of the match, and they comfortably defended their score despite Marcus North's lone effort of 90.
A 113-run partnership between Paul Collingwood and Calum MacLeod helped Durham Jets recover from 33-3 to make 173-4 against Worcestershire Rapids, who were bowled out for 144 at Chester-le-Street.
There were contributions throughout the lineup as Glamorgan made 161-7 to surprisingly beat Hampshire by 10 runs, with Will Owen taking 3-32 to limited the Royals to 151-6 in their chase.
Finally, Gloucestershire never threatened to knock off Somerset's score of 156-8, as left-arm paceman Dirk Nannes took 4-21 to bowl the Gladiators out for 138 at Bristol.
Joe Fish
