Derbyshire lost the toss and were surprisingly invited to bat by Andrew Strauss, a decision that look to have been justified after Tim Bloomfield produced a superb spell of bowling to take 4-25 in his 9 overs and reduce the scorpions to 96-4. However, Di Venuto managed to find some support from Luke Sutton (39) and Dominic Cork (41). Graeme Welch also hit a late 21 not out as Derbyshire posted a challenging 259-8 from their 45 overs.

Middlesex began the chase well, reaching 84 without loss in just 12 overs as both openers recorded half centuries, but a sticky middle section of the innings saw the 'sex reduced to 171-4, still needing 89 to win. David Nash then joined Owais Shah to put on 82 for the fifth wicket, which took Middlesex to the brink of victory, and when both fell, the finishing touches were applied by Jamie Dalrymple and Ben Hutton as the 'sex secured an impressive win.


SCORES:

DERBYSHIRE 1ST INNINGS (MIDDLESEX WON THE TOSS)

Di Venuto c Joyce b Keegan 106
Selwood lbw b Bloomfield 6
Bassano c Nash b Bloomfield 0
Kaif c Hutton b Bloomfield 1
Hewson lbw b Bloomfield 11
Sutton c Bloomfield b Cook 39
Cork run out 41
Welch not out 21
Dumelow run out 1
Ali not out 0

Extras 33

Total (for 8 wickets, 45 overs) 259

Did not bat: Wharton


MIDDLESEX INNINGS:

Weekes b Wharton 54
Strauss b Ali 57
Keegan c Kaif b Hewson 6
Shah c Welch b Ali 66
Joyce c Selwood b Dumelow 17
Nash run out 38
Dalrymple not out 5
Hutton not out 1

Extras 16

Total (for 6 wickets, 44 overs) 260

Did not bat: Cook, Bloomfield and Dawes.


RESULT: MIDDLESEX WIN BY 4 WICKETS

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