Royals sweep to top spot

Worcestershire Royals swept to the top of the Norwich Union League at Edgbaston last night with an eight-wicket demolition of Warwickshire Bears.

Vikram Solanki and Anurag Singh led the way, putting on 183 for the first wicket in 31.3 overs as the Royals raced to their target of 217with just under six overs to spare.

Solanki was denied a century when he holed out to Nick Knight at mid-wicket off Dougie Brown for a dashing 91 off 89 balls. Singh finished unbeaten on 70 off 115 balls. The hosts scored 216 for 8, Mark Wagh hitting a fine 84.

Kevin Pietersen clubbed the season's highest Norwich Union score as Nottinghamshire Outlaws claimed a second win in successive days over Somerset Sabres in a First Division relegation battle at Taunton.

The South African plundered 147 from 101 balls, with five sixes and 16 fours, in a 59-run win to follow up Sunday's 122 off 100 deliveries in a 69-run success over the same club at Trent Bridge. Responding to the visitors' 296 for 7, the Sabres were all out for 237 in the 38th over.