Di Venuto seals victory

Derbyshire, the County Championship Second Division's bottom team, beat Durham by four wickets at Chester-le-Street yesterday, reaching a target of 224 thanks to a century from the Tasmanian Michael Di Venuto and an unbeaten 70 from Christopher Bassano.

The defeat was no reward for a stunning bowling display by Durham's James Brinkley, who took 6 for 14 in Derbyshire's first innings of 95.

Middlesex were rocked by two late dismissals against Gloucestershire at Lord's, with Owais Shah being caught by Martyn Ball off the bowling of Jeremy Snape and David Alleyne lbw to his namesake Mark. The home side ended the day at 140 for 4, chasing Gloucestershire's 400 for 3 declared.