Lancashire stay top while Surrey extend winning run in Vitality Blast

Steven Croft and Dane Vilas hit half-centuries as Lancashire beat Notts Outlaws by four wickets to stay top of the Vitality Blast North Group.

The 37-year-old Croft starred on his return to his home ground of Blackpool, hitting four fours and two sixes in an unbeaten 61 from 44 balls. Vilas added 55 as Lancashire easily reeled in a target of 180 for a win that dented the visitors’ hopes of reaching the last eight.

Notts’ 179 for seven included Samit Patel’s 45 off 36 balls and captain Dan Christian’s unbeaten 30 off 14.

Derbyshire claimed their fourth successive victory as they cruised to a seven-wicket win over Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston.

Sam Conners (three for 25) and Mattie McKiernan (two for 18) did most of the damage as the Bears were restricted to 159 for seven, despite the best efforts of Sam Hain with an unbeaten 73 from 40 balls.

But the visitors made light work of their modest target, Wayne Madsen top-scoring with 55 off 34 as they raced to 160 for three with 11 balls to spare.

Rehan Ahmed notched career-best figures as Leicestershire gave their campaign a vital boost with a 51-run win over Durham in their clash at Chester-le-Street.

Wiaan Mulder was the key man with the bat for the Foxes, scoring 54 from 33 balls after the visitors appeared to be in danger at 80 for six.

The South Africa international timed the ball to perfection with four fours and two sixes to elevate his team to a defendable total of 157 for nine that the hosts never looked like reaching, as Ahmed took four for 22 and fellow spinner Callum Parkinson three for 16.

Kieron Pollard hit 34 as Surrey claimed a four-wicket win over Hampshire to maintain their unbeaten start in the South Group.

Pollard clubbed two sixes and three fours off 22