Bopara smashes Essex into T20 contention

Bopara's knock occupied just 65 balls, 10 of which he sent to the Rose Bowl boundary with four more despatched over it.

South Division rivals Hampshire had made 159-8 batting first, Sean Ervine the key man with 74 not out, but England international Bopara made that look lightweight as he carried his side home with a six with two overs remaining.

In Bristol, spinners Richard Dawson and Aaron Redmond played key roles as Gloucestershire gained only their third win at the expense of Middlesex.

The home side posted 153-6 after losing the toss, Hamish Marshall making 52 not out and Alex Gidman 42. There were two wickets each for Pedro Collins and Tim Murtagh.

Middlesex looked favourites until Dawson (2-20) and Redmond (1-26) bowled eight tight overs of spin in mid-innings, helping to restrict the visitors to 149-7 and give their side victory by four runs.

At Hove, struggling Kent completed a handsome 27-run win over Sussex.

Rob Key was the central figure, finishing two runs short of a remarkable century as he finished 98no from 55 deliveries in the first innings. He found fine support in Joe Denly (38) and Martin van Jaarsveld (53no) as the away team racked up 194 having won the toss.

Sussex could do no better than 167-9 in the reply, on-form England man Matt Prior top-scoring with 44.

Nottinghamshire, pace-setters in the North Division, rolled Warwickshire over for 117 to successfully defend their total of 149-6 at Trent Bridge.

The Outlaws started poorly with their dangerous opening duo Alex Hales and Ali Brown falling for nought and four respectively.

Runs from David Hussey (56) and Samit Patel (38) saw them to a decent total, allowing Steven Mullaney, Darren Pattinson and Graeme White to lead the defence with the ball.

Worcestershire waltzed to victory over Derbyshire by an eight-wicket margin at New Road.

Wes Durston, with 77 from 57 balls, saw Derbyshire to 147-7 but the hosts made light work of that.

Australian opener Phil Jaques struck an unbeaten 70 from 42 balls to take the Royals past their target with 4.5 overs still to be bowled.