Dan Birch hit a one-day best 76 to guide Derbyshire to a comfortable six-wicket Pro40 victory over Northants.

Northants were put in to bat and slumped to 35 for four before an unbeaten 96 from David Sales helped the Steelbacks to a respectable 222-7.

Derbyshire easily reached their target, Birch taking advantage of an injury-hit Northants attack with a fantastic innings which included four sixes.

Birch was eventually run out but Greg Smith (35no) guided the Phantoms home.

Captain Rikki Clarke's decision to field looked to be a wise one when Graham Wagg (1-42) bowled Stephen Peters for two in the third over.

Wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien soon followed, run out by Wagg for six, as did Rob White, bowled by Ian Hunter (3-18) for one, before Riki Wessels top-edged Hunter to Jonathan Clare when on seven.

Sales and Nicky Boje, who hit a quickfire 59 before he was caught by Clarke off Clare, pulled their side from danger.

Derbyshire had the 111-run partnership of Wavell Hinds and Birch to thank for a solid start.

Hinds fell to Andrew Hall (1-39), caught behind superbly by O'Brien for 45, but even when Birch was run out the visitors had enough to spare to claim victory with 26 balls remaining.