Despite beating Derbyshire by 21 runs to make it three wins in a row at home in the Benson Hedges Cup, Leicestershire failed to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Leicestershire hardly had time to celebrate the victory before realisation dawned that it was not enough. Yorkshire's win at Durham meant that they pipped Leicestershire for third place in the Group by virtue of a better run-rate.

At least Leicestershire had the consolation of producing their best total of the competition after being put into bat. They scored 267 off 49.5 overs - and then needed to bowl out Derbyshire as cheaply as possible to stand a chance of qualifying.

But a superb century from Australian Michael Di Venuto and an injury to fast bowler James Ormond, conspired to make it a close finish with Derbyshire eventually dismissed for 246.

Di Venuto was the last wicket to fall when he was run out going for a quick single having made an impressive 108, reaching his century off 121 balls with 10 fours.

He received very little support from the earlier batsmen but was joined by Trevor Smith in an eighth wicket stand of 63 spread over 12 overs.

That gave Derbyshire a glimmer of a chance of victory but when Smith was sensationally caught by his namesake Ben, at cover, the game swung Leicestershire's way again.

Tom Lungley was stumped off Darren Maddy but some lusty blows from Tim Munton, who hit an unbeaten 17, held the home side at bay for a while until Di Venuto was run out.

Earlier Leicestershire, aware of the mathematics involved, chased quick runs and as big a total as possible with Wells setting the tempo. He hit 57 off 42 balls with eight fours and two sixes. Maddy also struck a half-century and Neil Burns chipped in with 46. But it was not enough.

© CricInfo