Unbeaten Essex confirmed their place in the Bob Willis Trophy final as South Group victors with an emphatic nine-wicket win over Middlesex.
Sir Alastair Cook, Paul Walter and Tom Westley knocked off the 53 required in 13.5 overs after Sam Cook, Aaron Beard and Simon Harmer claimed the final four wickets as Middlesex were bowled out for 150.
Essex’s spot at Lord’s was cemented when Derbyshire failed to get a batting point in their North Group fixture against Lancashire – which was met by cheers from the Essex dressing room.
It meant Derbyshire could only match Essex’s 90 points, if they managed to beat Lancashire at Aigburth, but they would have only won three games compared to Essex’s four.
The two group winners with the most points go through to the five-day final which starts on 23rd September.
