TOM Kohler-Cadmore hit a sensational 127 from just 54 balls as Worcestershire Rapids opened their NatWest T20 Blast campaign with a 38-run victory over Durham Jets at New Road.

It was the highest score by a County batsman in domestic T20 cricket, eclipsing Graeme Hick’s unbeaten 116 against Northamptonshire at Luton in 2004.

Kohler-Cadmore also held three catches in the deep and Joe Leach finished with a career-best 5-33 as Rapids sealed a comprehensive North Group success.

Kohler-Cadmore, 21, reached his stunning hundred in just 43 balls to become the sixth fastest centurion in the competition's history as the hosts piled up 225-6.

Only Ben Smith has registered a quicker century for Worcestershire in the competition.

Despite 64 from Jets opener Phil Mustard, the visitors were restricted to 187-8 after a promising early flourish from Mark Stoneman (25).

Kohler-Cadmore, who struck 14 fours and eight sixes, looked in good touch early on with successive boundaries off Barry McCarthy.

Skipper Daryl Mitchell (5) was the first wicket to fall, lbw to Paul Coughlin.

Kohler-Cadmore hammered consecutive straight sixes off Coughlin before taking a shine to McCarthy’s bowling.

In a display of clean striking, he hit three successive boundaries and then two straight sixes to plunder 28 runs from his over.

Kohler-Cadmore brought up his half-century off 21 deliveries, collecting nine boundaries in a remarkable nine-ball spell.

Joe Clarke (9) was caught at long-off by Calum Macleod from Scott Borthwick’s first ball and Mitchell Santner (1) fell in the same over, caught at long on.

Kohler-Cadmore brought the crowd to their feet when he reached his 100 in the 12th over out of Worcestershire’s 130-3.

He was eventually caught in the deep by Graham Clark off Coughlin with Rapids at 167 in 15th over.

Ross Whiteley perished for 19 and Ben Cox (2) was caught off Usman Arshad.

However, the assault continued through Brett D’Oliveira’s unbeaten 39 and Joe Leach’s 14 not out.

McCarthy took the brunt of Kohler-Cadmore’s innings, finishing with 1-63 from four overs, with Borthwick bagging 2-24 and Coughlin 2-43.

In reply, Stoneman and Mustard gave Durham a decent start.

Stoneman was dropped on 24 by Ed Barnard off Jack Shantry but was dismissed the next ball by Leach.

Clark holed out at long off for 32, caught low down by Kohler-Cadmore in Santner’s first over, and the same combination removed Michael Richardson (2).

Santner finished his four-over spell with an impressive 2-29.

Mustard, on 37, was put down by Leach at point off Santner and reached his half-century off 37 balls.

Leach then took centre stage, removing Ryan Pringle, caught on the mid-wicket boundary by the sliding Matt Henry for 21, and MacLeod for a duck as Jets slipped to 145-5 from 15 overs.

Leach claimed the key wicket of Mustard, caught by Whiteley at deep mid-wicket, and then removed McCarthy first ball.

Coughlin (13) was caught at long-off by Kohler-Cadmore off Henry (1-40), while Jennings made a defiant 21 not out. However, Durham finished well short on 187-8.