Birmingham Bears break T20 Blast record by smashing 261-2 at Trent Bridge

The Bears took advantage of a true pitch, short boundaries and a rapid outfield to post 261 for 2 against Notts Outlaws, the highest total by any side in the 20 seasons of the competition

On the hottest day of the year, Birmingham Bears sizzed as they smacked the T20 Blast's record team score at Trent Bridge.

The Bears took advantage of a true pitch, short boundaries and a rapid outfield to post 261 for 2 against Notts Outlaws, the highest total by any side in the 20 seasons of the competition.

The innings was spearheaded by a 47-ball century from No.3 Sam Hain.

^{Sam Hain's century was at the heart of Birmingham Bears' huge total [Getty Images]}

Hain crashed five sixes and 12 fours on his way to 112 not out, and was supported by an equally destructive Adam Hose as the Bears' punishment of the Outlaws' attack was relentless in Nottingham.

Hose picked off the Notts bowlers for 88 from 35 balls - clearing the ropes on 10 occasions - as he and Hain put on 174 for the third wicket in 11.4 overs.

The remarkable hitting ensured that the Bears surpassed the previous record of 260 for 4, posted by Yorkshire Vikings in 2017.

For the 1,300 fans who bought their tickets for this one while watching Jonny Bairstow go ballistic on New Zealand on Tuesday, it has been quite a week.