Rapid Denly century gets champions Kent off mark

Vitality Blast

An explosive century from Joe Denly helped Kent to their first win of the season, as they beat Middlesex by 55 runs at Canterbury.

Denly scored his fifth Blast century, hitting 110 from 58 balls, including six sixes and nine fours, as the Spitfires posted 192 for eight. Jordan Cox (45) put on a record second-wicket stand of 157 with Denly.

Kent spinners Jack Leaning and

George Linde claimed three for 30 and two for 26 respectively as the defending Blast champions finally recorded their first victory of the year, in any format.

Leicestershire Foxes secured their third win in four games with the help of a superb spell from Naveen-ul-haq in a 26-run triumph against Worcestershire Rapids at New Road.

The Afghanistan pace bowler returned career-best Twenty20 figures of five for 11 from four overs as the Foxes comfortably defended 162 for six.

Naveen claimed the prized wickets of Brett D’oliveira and overseas duo Colin Munro and Dwayne Bravo before cleaning up the innings as the Rapids were dismissed for 136 in 19 overs.

Alex Hales hit 30 off nine balls but it was not enough to prevent Notts Outlaws losing to Birmingham Bears by one run in a match reduced to eight overs a side. Chris Benjamin top-scored for Birmingham with 36 off 17 balls.

A fine 61 from Chris Lynn guided Northamptonshire to a fourwicket victory over Durham at the Riverside.

Steelbacks spinners Graeme White and Josh Cobb combined for five for 38 from their eight overs, limiting Durham to 154 for eight, with White sending down a miserly three for 14.