Allen’s 112-run opening stand with Keaton Jennings sent the hosts well on their way to easily chasing down their target of 143, achieving it with 4.2 overs to spare, to put them up to fourth in the North group with two games to play before the quarterfinals.
One place above them is Worcestershire, who enjoyed a 49-run home win over Birmingham, thanks to Sodhi’s 4-24 off his four overs.
Chasing 175, the visitors needed an unlikely 70 off 30 balls with four wickets in hand, and while Sodhi’s first ball of his final over (the 16th) was sent for six by 17-year-old Jacob Bethell, the leg-spinner immediately got payback, having the teen caught next ball, before also claiming wickets on his fourth and fifth deliveries, to all but put an end to the contest.