Leicestershire spinner Colin Ackermann took a world record 7-18 in the Vitality T20 Blast clash with Birmingham Bears at Grace Road.

The off-spinner took three wickets in a single over twice as he helped his team to a comfortable 55-run victory.

The Bears lost their last eight wickets for just 20 runs as they were all out for 134.

Harry Swindells and Lewis Hill both scored half-centuries as Leicestershire posted 189-6 to move into fourth place in the North Group.

Meanwhile, a commanding display with bat and ball saw Somerset thrash Essex by 114 runs at Chelmsford.

Babar Azam hit his third half-century of the competition as the visitors posted 225-6. Roelof Van Der Merwe then claimed 5-32 with his spin to help bowl the hosts out for 111 in 12.5 overs.

Kent missed the opportunity to move back to the top of the South Group following a five-wicket defeat to Gloucestershire.

Captain Daniel Bell-Drummond (62) accounted for almost half of the Spitfires’ 125-8 and the hosts reached the target with seven balls to spare as Jack Taylor and Benny Howell guided them home with an unbroken 35-run stand from 22 deliveries.

Rob Keogh was the unlikely hero with the ball for Northamptonshire as the Steelbacks defended 145-6 to beat Durham by 21 runs.

Keogh took a career-best three for 30 as Durham could only make 124 for eight in reply at Wantage Road.