Northamptonshire Steelbacks maintained their perfect record in the T20 Blast by successfully chasing down a target of 185 to beat Gloucestershire at Bristol by eight wickets and make it an incredible eight wins from eight matches in the competition.

Half-centuries by David Willey (73) and Australia opener Nathan McSweeney (72 not out) helped the visitors reach their target with 16 balls to spare, to extend their lead at the top of the Central and West Group over second-placed Gloucestershire and effectively secure a home quarter-final in the knockout stages.

Elsewhere, Lancashire Lightning picked up a third consecutive T20 Blast win in a row with a narrow four-run victory at Derbyshire Falcons as their new signing, Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan, fired a half-century and took three wickets.

A wonderful third-wicket stand of 105 between Surrey’s Josh Philippe and captain Ollie Pope helped the Brown Caps to a seven-run win in a run-fest at Essex.

And in cross-pool play, Warwickshire Bears continued their white-ball improvement, tasting victory over Sussex Sharks.