Best moments from the opening day of Vitality Blast 2021

North Group:
Lancashire Lightning 171/4 beat Derbyshire Falcons 168/7 by six wickets
Worcestershire Rapids 152/6 tied with Notts Outlaws 152/8

South Group:
Kent Spitfires 176/6 beat Hampshire Hawks 138/9 by 38 runs
Essex Eagles 187/7 beat Somerset 185/7 by three wickets

Drama at Worcester

The Vitality Blast is back, and it returned in some style. The reduced crowd at Blackfinch New Road was treated to a dramatic finish yet again between Worcestershire Rapids and Notts Outlaws. Much like their famous 2019 semi-final, the Outlaws looked to be cruising it after a Powerplay worth 76. But much like that fateful day at Edgbaston, the Rapids clawed their way back into the game, and defending two from the final delivery, ran out Peter Trego to claim a tie.

Lethal Livingstone

All eyes at Emirates Old Trafford were on Jos Buttler, but it was Liam Livingstone who stole the headlines on the Blast's opening night. The Lancashire opener smashed a swashbuckling 94 not out from just 58 balls, with the Lightning making fairly easy work of Derbyshire Falcons' target of 169. Matt Parkinson had earlier taken three wickets. 

Unleash the Neesh

One game in and Jimmy Neesham has already made his mark for the Essex Eagles. After being dispatched for 39 in his three overs as Somerset piled on 185, the New Zealand all-rounder was worth his weight in gold with the bat. He struck a 25-ball 53 to tilt the match in favour of the Eagles, and though he was eventually bowled by Marchant de Lange, it was too little, too late for Somerset.

Back with a bang

Darren Stevens has been in phenomenal form in the LV= Insurance County Championship, and playing his first Blast match for Kent Spitfires since 2017 he continued that great run. Brought on in the seventh over, he removed D'Arcy Short with his first ball, and later got the Hampshire captain James Vince as the Spitfires ran out comfortable winners.