Essex v Middlesex: Hosts thumped after lowest T20 total

Essex were skittled for 74, their lowest score in Twenty20 cricket, as Middlesex thumped them by eight wickets.

New Zealander Kyle Mills removed Greg Smith and Graham Napier in the first over as he took 3-4.

Only Owais Shah (39) provided any resistance as the Eagles were bowled out in the 17th over.

Joe Denly (34 not out) and Adam Voges (22 not out) then eased their side home with more than 10 overs to spare.

After choosing to bat first, Essex got off to the worst possible start as Smith and the dangerous Napier were both dismissed for nought to leave the hosts on 0-2.

Essex's innings then fell into disarray as Rutherford (two) became countryman Mills's third wicket before debutant Gurjit Sandhu removed Jaik Mickleburgh and Ryan ten Doeschate in successive balls to leave them 13-5.

Shah hit a flurry of fours before being stumped as only he and Tim Phillips made double figures.

Australian Shaun Tait took two wickets in the Middlesex reply but the damage had already been done as the Panthers moved to the top of the South Group table.

Match scorecard