Plunkett helps Durham reach final

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Plunkett, 22, claimed career-best figures of four for 15 as Essex were routed for 71 in the Friends Provident Trophy semi-final before guiding the hosts home with an unbeaten 30.

The contest appeared over at the halfway stage of a match delayed by 85 minutes due to overnight rain but Durham's top order were blitzed by a succession of leg before wicket decisions and outside edges against the moving ball.

When Plunkett joined Ottis Gibson at the crease, in fact, Durham were 38 for seven and the match was in the balance.

The turning point came one run later, in the 10th over of the chase, when Danish Kaneria dropped a sprawling chance at mid-on from a chipped drive by Gibson.

Later in the same over Graham Napier bowled a no-ball and Plunkett lofted the free hit for a towering straight six.

Fittingly it was Plunkett who hit the winning runs, forcing Martin Saggers through the covers off the back foot, to seal a three-wicket success.