A David Willey inspired Northants cruised to a six-wicket victory over Derbyshire in the Natwest T20 Blast.
Willey smashed 60 off 27 balls, including six fours and four sixes as the hosts made light work of Derbyshire's 166-7.
Wes Durston had made 77 not out for the visitors, but 166 was not enough as they paid the price for a poor powerplay. They could only manage 38-3 off their six powerplay overs.
Dilshan disappoints
Durston's side would've hope overseas player Tillakaratne Dilshan contributed more, as he was dismissed for a third ball duck and went for 29 off his two overs. Willey hit three sixes off Dilshan's second over.
Only Scott Elstone supported Durston, hitting 37 off 25 balls.
Northants' reply didn't get off to the best start, with Richard Levi hitting a Shiv Thakor delivery straight to square-leg with the score on six.
From then on the hosts never looked in any trouble. Captain Alex Wakely played an anchor role, scoring 31 not out from 32 balls. Good contributions from Shahid Afridi (34) and Steven Crook (24*) helping the side record their first win of the T20 campaign, following three straight defeats.
Klinger century not enough
Elsewhere, Michael Klinger hit an unbeaten century but ended up on the losing side as Gloucestershire were beaten by 18 runs by Essex at Chelmsford.
The Australian made 104 not out from 64 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes but the visitors were restricted to 163-7 in their chase of 182 runs.
Opener Mark Pettini earlier hit 68 after hitting 10 boundaries while Ryan ten Doeschate, Tom Westley and James Foster all making it into the twenties.
Tom Smith was the pick of the visitors’ bowlers with 3-26 and James Fuller and David Payne taking two wickets apiece.
Graham Napier took 3-30 from his four overs as Gloucestershire failed to provide adequate support for Klinger. James Fuller was the second top scorer with 26 not out.
The win moves Essex into fourth place in the South Group table while Gloucestershire remain in second place.