Ever-reliable Aussie Stuart Law has defied Essex's mediocre season by opening up a healthy lead in the national batting rankings.

Law is the county's only representative in the latest PPP Healthcare top 24 - although two Essex players have squeezed into the bowling top 26.

Law's 278 total is 20 clear of Justin Langer (Middlesex).

Durham's J Lewis (242 points), Nottinghamshire's Paul Johnson and Hampshire's ex-England star Robin Smith (both 239) complete the batting top five.

Left-arm paceman Mark Ilott is 16th in the bowling list, with another ex-England Test man, off-spinner Peter Such, in equal 24th.

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