DERBY (Derbyshire won toss): Derbyshire Phantoms (2pts) beat Somerset Sabres by seven wickets
HOW Somerset must be willing this season towards its end. Already languishing in the lower reaches of the championship, this defeat saw them tumble to the bottom of the NatWest Pro40 League second division as Derbyshire climbed above them.
Travis Birt’s rollicking innings inspired the home side to their first victory in the competition as they passed Somerset’s 277 for three with eight balls to spare. The defeat was particularly harsh on James Hildreth, who had made a fine 122 for Somerset, his first hundred of the season and the first one-day century of his career.
Birt reached his first one-day century for Derbyshire from 101 balls with eight fours and three sixes, sharing stands of 124 with Michael DiVenuto and 95 with Chris Taylor. He chipped to mid-wicket with 43 still needed from six overs, but Ant Botha and Taylor saw their side home.
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On a good wicket and with a short boundary, it was a dire evening for bowlers, with just six wickets falling in all.