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At Old Trafford, evergreen Steven Croft took a sublime over-the-shoulder catch to dismiss Matty Potts, who top-scored with 15, batting at eight for Durham.
Wells smashed three sixes and posted a strike rate of 195 as the Lightning raced home with 12 overs in hand, despite losing skipper Keaton Jennings to a back spasm just before the game.
Across the Pennines, Ethan Brookes made 42 and Gareth Roderick 25 from 16 deliveries but they were the only Rapids in double figures as the visitors were bowled out with 26 balls remaining, with Yorkshire off-spinner Dan Moriarty claiming 4-25.
Worcestershire did oust Dawid Malan and Shan Masood but opener Lyth and Root put on an unbroken stand of 53 to secure victory.
At Wantage Road, Derbyshire’s David Lloyd smashed three sixes in a knock of 41 from 22 balls while Wayne Madsen made 37 at better than a run a ball as the Falcons posted 162-7.
Ricardo Vasconcelos’ breezy 42 gave the hosts a platform in reply but it was Bopara and Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza (38) who just about kept them in touch with the required rate.
The hosts needed 18 off the final 12 deliveries but that became 14 to win off the final over when Bopara hit a six off the first ball from Luis Reece and added three runs from the next three deliveries.
Skipper Lewis McManus found the ropes off the penultimate ball and then ran the single his side needed off the final delivery to ensure a winning start.
At Bristol, Essex recovered from 0-2 after three balls and 11-3 in the third over to post 141-9 thanks largely to 48 from 27 balls by Jordan Cox, who smashed three sixes and shared a stand of 64 from 39 balls with Paul Walter, who hit 43 from 31.
In reply, Bracey made 49 from 30 balls and Cam Bancroft cracked 32 from 18 as the hosts got home with three overs to spare.
In the other South Group game, Hawks’ Toby Albert hit two maximums and five fours in his 46, before becoming one of Curran’s three victims.
Liam Dawson smashed 30 off 12 balls before holing out to Jason Roy off Australian quick Spencer Johnson to help haul the Hawks to 162-9.
Surrey’s star-studded line-up paced the chase superbly with Laurie Evans and Jamie Smith going through the gears to each pass 30 before Curran rattled two late sixes in his 20-ball stay to see the visitors over the line.
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