Law leads the way for Derbyshire

Stuart Law guided Derbyshire to victory with a composed innings of 62 not out

Derbyshire defeated Essex by three wickets at Chelmsford to keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the Friends Provident Trophy.

Chasing 193 to win, veteran Stuart Law was joined by 19-year-old Dan Redfern in a defining sixth-wicket partnership worth 106.

The stand saw the pair wrest the initiative back from the home side who had reduced their opponents to 79 for five in the 23rd over.

Former Essex favourite Law, revelling in his return to his former stomping ground, used his wealth of experience to crack a 64-ball half-century that included five boundaries, including a number of trademark drives.

The youthful Redfern also showed great maturity, rarely offering any semblance of encouragement for any of the seven bowlers used by the home side.

Danish Kaneria had earlier raised Essex hopes with three wickets in 11 deliveries, removing Greg Smith for 43, Garry Park for 17 and Wavell Hinds for one to leave the match nicely poised before Law and Redfern joined forces.

The reintroduction of Kaneria into the attack broke the stand when Redfern, having faced 60 balls for his 47, was bowled playing across the line.

The Pakistan leg-spinner immediately added Graham Wagg to his tally to finish with figures of 5-32, but the cool head of Law saw his side safely home with an unbeaten 62.

The match was reduced to 49 overs per side after rain delayed the start, but the home side never struck the required tempo, losing their first three wickets for the addition of 16 runs.

James Foster and Varun Chopra stepped forward with a stand of 70 to add some substance to the score.

Chopra hit 42 but it was Foster that provided the highest contribution as he attempted to sustain the innings and provide a worthwhile total for the Trophy holders to defend.

The wicketkeeper reached a 64-ball half-century that included just two boundaries before he was bowled by Ian Hunter for 71.

The Derbyshire attack maintained an impressive line and length throughout, sending down four maidens in the first 10 overs to apply immediate pressure on the home side.

Each of the five bowlers utilised gained at least one wicket, Greg Smith the most successful with 3-50.

The result means that Lancashire are Group D winners and are guaranteed a home tie, while Essex will gain a place in the last eight if they take at least a point from their match at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

If Essex are beaten, it will open the way for Derbyshire to snatch a quarter-final place, provided they beat Glamorgan, although the Phantoms will have to significantly improve their inferior run-rate.