Essex in with chance of promotion as Danny Law dazzles

Danny Law hit a six and four off consecutive balls to help keep Essex's hopes of promotion from the National League Division Two. Essex needed 12 in the last over with one wicket left against Durham at Chester-le-street.

Law swung two full tosses of Neil Killeen over square leg for six and four to seal Essex's victory.

Earlier Durham made 188 for 8 in 43 overs. Simon Katich (63) and Paul Collingwood (50) were the main scorers with Ashley Cowan taking 3 for 51. As rain interrupetd the match twice, the target for Essex was revised to 167 in 33 overs. Essex were at one stage 92 for 2 in the 21st over and were making merry. Nicky Phillips then removed Ronnie Irani (23), debutant Will Jefferson (50) and Steve Peters (2). Essex recovered thanks to the stand of 30 in four overs between Law and Paul Grayson.

When 31 were needed in 5 overs, Killeen removed Grayson (18), James Foster (10) and Ashley Cowan (0). In the penultimate over, Ian Hunter removed Ricky Anderson (1) and just gave two runs with Law not getting the strike.

But Law batted superbly in the last over to end with 27 not out in 20 balls.