Madsen 47 guides Derbyshire to semis

Led by Wayne Madsen's 47, Derbyshire, on Saturday (September 7), chased down Gloucestershire's 136-run target with ease - only three wickets down and with 17 balls to spare - to qualify to the T20 Blast Finals Day for the first time. 

The foundation was laid by a 44-run stand for the opening wicket between Luis Reece and skipper Billy Godleman. Even as it came at a good pace, it was largely due to a flurry of extras by Andrew Tye rather than any extravagant strokeplay. The chase rarely stuttered, but it was in the last over of the powerplay, when both the openers were back in the pavilion in quick succession that 

Gloucestershire had a chance to work their way back into the contest. However, that opening was also shut by Madsen and Leus du Plooy. 

The duo constructed a 72-run partnership, without much hassle, and steadily worked their way towards the target. While Madsen stroked five boundaries in his 37-ball 47, Plooy hit only two in his 33-ball 29*. By the time they were separated, with Madsen getting dismissed three short of a fifty, they were only nine runs behind the target. 

Earlier in the day, economical spells by the Derbyshire bowlers had restricted Gloucestershire to 135 for 7 after they were put into bat. After getting a steady start, courtesy a 44-run stand between the openers Miles Hammond and Michael Klinger, their innings went off-track. They were reduced to 58 for 3 soon after and Ian Cockbain struggled to find partners to revive the innings. 

Matthew Critchy took a couple of catches of his bowling Gloucestershire's innings lost direction in the middle overs. Fynn Hudson-Prentice bagged a brace while Ravi Rampaul and Alex Hughes snared a wicket apiece. Cockbain remained steady from end and finished unbeaten on 45. 

Brief Scores: Gloucestershire 135/7 in 20 overs (Ian Cockbain 45*, Miles Hammond 31; Matthew Critchley 2-21, Fynn Hudson-Prentice 2-26) lost to Derbyshire 137/3 in 17.1 overs (Wayne Madsen 47, Leus du Plooy 29*; Andrew Tye 2-33) by 7 wickets.