Sam Hain and Adam Hose power Bears to record total as T20 batters have a Blast

Birmingham Bears set a new record total in English domestic T20 cricket, amassing 261 for two in their 55-run Vitality Blast win against Nottinghamshire Outlaws.

Only seven better scores have ever been posted in world T20 cricket, while Bears duo Sam Hain (112 not out) and Adam Hose (88 not out) shared a record third-wicket stand in this country of 174.

Joe Clarke made 86 from 45 balls in reply to take the Outlaws to 150 for two, with 112 needed at 14.6 per over, but he fell at long-off and the rest crashed in 36 balls as the Outlaws were all out for 206.

On a night where batters thrived across the country, Australian all-rounder Daniel Sams thrashed his maiden Blast half-century to guide Essex Eagles to their highest-ever total in the tournament in an 11-run win over Sussex Sharks.

Sams hammered 71 from just 24 deliveries, including six sixes and as many fours, as Essex racked up 244 for seven at Chelmsford on their way to a third victory in four games.

Mohammad Rizwan blazed 66 from 32 to keep the Sharks’ hopes alive before former Essex star Ravi Bopara bludgeoned a valiant 51 from 26.

But it was not enough as Bopara fell to Sams in the final over as Sussex reached 233 for six, with the match aggregate of 477 setting a new Blast record.

Sunil Narine smashed a 29-ball half-century as Surrey thrashed Middlesex by seven wickets to maintain their unbeaten start in the Vitality Blast.

West Indies star Narine hit four sixes in an unbeaten 51 in front of a 30,000 full house at the Kia Oval as Surrey made it seven wins from eight matches – plus a no result against Glamorgan – while Middlesex slumped to a sixth straight defeat.

Ollie Pope finished unbeaten on 37 as South Group leaders Surrey cruised to 158 for three in 15.1