Loye smashes 55-ball ton

Lancashire virtually assured themselves of a quarter-final berth with another fine all round display against Durham, Mal Loye's 55-ball 100 forming the cornerstone of their 37-run win. Loye and Brad Hodge added 160 for the second wicket to put Lancashire on course for their second total over 200 in two matches. It was Loye's first Twenty20 ton, and the second by a Lancashire batsmen in successive matches following Stuart Law's century against Yorkshire. Despite Nathan Astle's brisk 55 from 37 balls Durham couldn't maintain a required rate of over 10 runs an over. Dominic Cork was again economical, taking 2 for 25 from his four overs.

Nottinghamshire gained their second win of the season, with a well-paced six-wicket win against Yorkshire, who are now struggling to secure a quarter-final spot. However, Notts' win has probably come too late for them although they will take heart from a 101-run opening stand between Will Smith and Graeme Swann. Their partnership put Notts within reach of the target of 181 and Chris Read guided them home with two balls to spare. Yorkshire's total was built around Phil Jaques' 55 from 33 balls and a late surge from Richard Pyrah, who made 31 from 17.