Peters stars in Northants win

Stephen Peters' fine run in Friends Provident Trophy cricket continued with 97no

Northamptonshire Steelbacks stayed in the hunt for a place in the Friends Provident Trophy quarter-finals with a five-wicket win over Warwickshire Bears at Edgbaston.

Chasing the Bears’ 232 for eight, which featured a fine century from Jonathan Trott, Northants were checked by left-arm seamer Neil Carter, who took three wickets in four legitimate balls to reduce them to 12 for three.

But Stephen Peters steered the Steelbacks out of crisis and then onward to victory, the opener ending unbeaten on 97 from 132 balls including 11 fours.

He added 144 in 22 overs with Riki Wessels as Northants eased to victory with 26 balls to spare, to keep the pressure on Nottinghamshire Outlaws and Leicestershire Foxes in the qualification race.

Warwickshire won the toss and chose to bat but briskly declined to 22 for three.

Pinch-hitter Carter fell lbw to Johannes van der Wath's third ball, Darren Maddy nicked a terrific off-cutter from the same bowler and Ian Westwood edged a wide ball from Andrew Hall.

Trott and Luke Parker partially repaired the damage with a fourth-wicket stand of 50 in 12 overs before the latter chipped Nicky Boje to extra cover.

When Michael Powell edged Lance Klusener to Niall O'Brien, the Bears were in deep trouble at 88 for five.

Trott reached 50 from 105 balls while waiting for support and finally, some arrived from Ant Botha and Richard Johnson.

Trott and Botha added 50 in 12 overs before Botha was bowled trying to reverse-sweep off-spinner Jason Brown.

Wicketkeeper Johnson, 19, showed no nerves on his senior debut as he helped Trott add 52 in ten overs.

After Johnson was bowled by Hall for a bright 20, fellow rookie Chris Woakes also chipped in as Warwickshire clubbed 83 from the last ten overs.

Trott reached his century in style with a straight six off Johann Louw, from his 132nd ball faced, and ended unbeaten on 120 from 142 balls with ten fours and one six.

Carter then replied explosively with his triple strike. O'Brien edged to first slip, David Sales played on and Boje slashed to point.

Peters and Rob White righted the ship with a partnership of 67 in 19 overs before skipper Maddy brought himself on and inflicted immediate damage. White edged the captain's fourth ball and Johnson, standing up, took a fine catch.

Peters and Wessels then took the game right away from Warwickshire.

While Peters played the perfect anchor role, Wessels galloped to 50 in 51 balls and celebrated with a huge six off Botha and by the time the South African was bowled by Lee Daggett the job was done.