Neil Carter hit a blistering 52 as Warwickshire thrashed Northamptonshire by nine wickets to overhaul the home side at the top of their division of the Twenty20 Cup.

The 33-year-old smashed four sixes and five fours off just 28 deliveries before Jonathan Trott and Jim Troughton steered Warwickshire home with 4.3 overs to spare and bring an abrupt end to Northants' winning start to the season.

Earlier Ant Botha (three for 15) and New Zealand international Chris Martin (two for 15) rattled through the home side, who posted their lowest ever Twenty20 Cup total of 102.

Middlesex also enjoyed a comprehensive 38-run victory over Sussex at Lord's to maintain their unbeaten start to the competition.

Billy Godleman hammered 58 from just 34 balls with nine fours and a six as the home side posted a total of 177 for seven from their 20 overs.

Then some superb bowling from the Middlesex attack restricted the Sharks to just 139 for nine, with Dirk Nannes continuing his good form with three for 19.

Veteran New Zealander Chris Cairns hit his maiden Twenty20 half-century to help Nottinghamshire return to the top of the North Division with a five-wicket victory over Leicestershire.

The 38-year-old hit six fours from 38 balls as Notts reached a target of 150 with two balls to spare.

He put on 63 with Outlaws captain Chris Read (29 not out) with Mark Ealham hitting the winning runs off James Allenby.

HD Ackerman top scored for Leicestershire in their total of 149 for seven with 55 off 45 balls, hitting six fours in his third consecutive half-century.

Record-breaker Graeme Hick finished on the losing side as Worcestershire slipped to a 10-run defeat against Somerset at New Road.

The 42-year-old, who broke Graham Gooch's all-time record of 1,195 appearances, top scored for the Royals, who were restricted to 166 for six in their pursuit of 177.

Hick scored 63, including two sixes and five fours, before he became one of paceman Alfonso Thomas' career-best haul of four for 27.

Somerset, after winning the toss, made 176 for seven with Peter Trego top scoring with 47.

More news from SportingLife.com

Live scorecards from SportingLife.com