Kieron Pollard hit five consecutive sixes to lead Southern Brave to a thrilling two-wicket victory over Trent Rockets in the men’s Hundred competition at the Utilita Bowl.
Chasing 127, Brave were struggling on 78-6 before the West Indian all-rounder smashed all five balls of Rashid Khan’s final set clear of the boundary to drag his side back into the tie.
Having hit a further two fours, both Pollard and Jofra Archer were run out in a nervy final 10 balls, before Chris Jordan’s four through backward square sealed the win with one ball to spare.
Rockets won the toss and chose to bat, reaching 46 without loss before losing openers Tom Banton and Adam Lyth without adding any more to their total.
The visiting side scored steadily but lost wickets periodically, with five of their top six falling for scores in the teens.
Chris Jordan then dismissed Rashid Khan and Luke Wood in the space of three balls as Rockets finished on 126-8.
Brave started positively, reaching 43-0 before Alex Davies was caught by Banton off the bowling of Sam Cook from the 30th ball of the innings.
The home side would then lose a further five wickets, three of them to seamer John Turner, in the next 50 balls and score just 30 runs.
But Pollard, who had started with a scratchy six from 14, ended that spell dramatically with brutal hitting against Rashid.
In the space of five balls he put his side back in the contest, and nine balls later Jordan struck the winning runs to put Brave level at the top of the table.