Bell hits high notes for Birmingham
Birmingham Bears laid down an early marker in the Vitality Blast by cruising to an eight-wicket win over reigning champions Notts Outlaws at Trent Bridge.
In a repeat of last year’s final, the Bears limited Notts to 155 for seven after winning the toss and putting the hosts in on the opening night of the 2018 competition.
Birmingham lost Ed Pollock and Adam Hose in the powerplay but Ian Bell (82) and Sam Hain (45) put on an unbroken 121-run stand to lead their team to a routine victory with 16 balls to spare.
Elsewhere in the North Group, captain Colin Ackermann smashed 66 off only 31 balls as Leicestershire Foxes chased down 219 to beat Northamptonshire Steelbacks by four wickets in a thriller at Wantage Road.
The South African arrived at the crease in the 11th over with the Foxes still 127 runs short of their target but hit five fours and four sixes to get his side over the line with two deliveries remaining.
Ben Duckett (96), Josh Cobb (56) and captain Alex Wakely (51 not out) had helped Northants get up to 218 for three but they came up short in their opener.
In the only match in the South Group yesterday evening, South African all-rounder David Wiese claimed five for 24 to help secure a 36-run victory for Sussex Sharks against Essex Eagles at Chelmsford.
Laurie Evans and Michael Burgess struck halfcenturies in Sussex’s 181 for six, with Wiese contributing an unbeaten 23 down the order.
The 33-year-old then took three wickets in an over as Essex lost their last five men for two runs in nine balls.