Quarter-Finals
Sussex v Warwicks   Leics v Lancs   Gloucs v Worcs   Essex v Yorks

The final round of group matches in the Benson and Hedges Cup saw all 18 teams in action as the quarter-final line-up was decided. Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Leicestershire, Yorkshire, Essex and Sussex all qualified by virtue of finishing in the top two places in their group, while Warwickshire and Lancashire secured the best third-place finishes to secure their presence in the draw.

Lancashire began the day knowing that was their only hope. While they would have to rely on other results going their way, their first objective had to be to win the Roses match against Yorkshire at Headingley. They did so in no uncertain manner. Andrew Flintoff took four for 11 to lead the rout of the home side, who were bowled out for just 81 in 27.2 overs. Lancashire knocked off the runs inside 11 overs for the loss of two wickets and, just to rub it in for Yorkshire, their former captain David Byas was at the crease when Lancashire completed their victory.

To secure third place in the group, Lancashire then needed Leicestershire to beat Nottinghamshire at Grace Road. In a match restricted by rain to 22 overs a side, the visitors were bowled out for 95 with two balls of their allocation to spare. Leicestershire had no trouble in reaching that target, winning by 8 wickets with nearly four overs in hand.

In one of the few matches that had absolutely no bearing on the quarter-final line-up, Durham beat Derbyshire by four wickets at Chester-le-Street. Derbyshire were bowled out for 172, before England all-rounder Paul Collingwood led Durham to their victory with an innings of 51.

Gloucestershire's winning run came to an abrupt end at Northampton, where the home side recorded a 118 run victory. Northamptonshire were grateful to Russell Warren with 78 not out in an unbroken sixth wicket partnership with Jeff Cook (45) that realised 116 runs. Scotsman John Blain then took five for 30 as Gloucestershire were bowled out for 94 in 24 overs.

Glamorgan continue to suffer in the competition. They endured their eleventh match without a win when they went down to Warwickshire by 58 runs. There were two innings exceeding 50 for Michael Powell in this match. Warwickshire captain Michael Powell scored 74 while Shaun Pollock recorded an innings of 64 in the visitors' total, while Glamorgan batsman Michael Powell was top scorer for his team with 51 as Pollock took four for 12 from his nine overs.

Worcestershire relied upon Vikram Solanki's undefeated 48 to reach their revised target of 121. They only needed 19 overs to get home with seven wickets in hand. Earlier, Somerset had been restricted to 127 for nine in their 32 overs to leave them anchored to the bottom of their group.

Essex appeared to be heading for their first defeat in the competition this season before Ronnie Irani enhanced his cult status at Chelmsford by steering his team to a two-wicket success. Kent made 231 for nine in their 50 overs thanks largely to a stand of 120 for the fifth wicket between David Fulton (80) and Matthew Walker (64). Andy Clarke took four wickets. Nasser Hussain had his second successive score in the forties for Essex, but at 210 for eight chasing 235 to win, the visitors had to be second favourites. Irani, however, was joined by James Middlebrook who proved to be a doughty partner. The skipper was 50 not out from 34 balls as his side won with four balls to spare.

Not much can go right for Surrey in the competition this season. The holders were already out of the reckoning, but suffered defeat at the hands of Sussex by virtue of having lost more wickets on their way to 220. Ali Brown struck an exciting 97 from 89 balls, but Billy Taylor took four wickets as Surrey were bowled out in 44.4 overs. To show how every run is vital, Sussex made 220 for nine with Richard Montgomerie scoring 66 at the top of the order. Azhar Mahmood took four wickets, including that of James Kirtley with the last ball of the innings.

Angus Fraser bowed out of county cricket with the respectable figures of two for 34 from his ten overs, but it was not enough to prevent Hampshire winning the match by 3 runs. John Crawley with 103 not out and Giles White (60) put 127 for the fourth wicket. Ed Joyce confirmed his promise as top scorer for Middlesex with 53, but Hampshire captain Will Kendall dismissed both Owais Shah and Simon Cook in the forties. Fraser left the field for the last time nought not out.

In the draw for the quarter-finals, Sussex will be at home to Warwickshire, Lancashire travel to Leicestershire, Gloucestershire meet Worcestershire and Essex entertain Yorkshire. The ties take place on 21st and 22nd May.

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