Middlesex v Essex: Dawid Malan inspires Panthers to win

Dawid Malan struck 86 off 55 balls as Middlesex secured a fine seven-wicket victory over Essex at Lord's.

Mark Pettini (37) and Hamish Rutherford (38) took the visitors to 59-0 inside five overs but once Rutherford fell they struggled to maintain momentum.

Number nine Graham Napier blasted 24 off eight balls as Essex posted 170-8.

Middlesex lost Paul Stirling cheaply in reply, but Malan shared 93 with Joe Denly (52no) before Adam Rossington hit the winning run with two balls left.

The result lifts the Panthers up to second place in the South Group table ahead of their derby clash with leaders Surrey on Friday, while Essex are struggling in fifth.

Match scorecard