In a round of T20 Blasts where poor pitches and low scoring was the norm, Wayne Madsen led from the front in the match of the weekend. GARETH STEVENS reports.

Derbyshire beat Warwickshire in a high-scoring thriller at the County Ground in Derby. It’s the way T20 cricket is supposed to be played and was undoubtedly the best spectacle of the weekend.

The visitors made first use of a flat wicket, reaching 189-5 in their allotted overs. They are sitting near the top of the table and would have been confident of restricting an off-the-boil Derbyshire.

The chase was a team effort with contributions throughout, but it was Madsen who wrestled the initiative and tipped the scales in his sides favour. His captain’s innings of 42 off 27 balls in the middle overs provided the impetus for Derbyshire to reach 193-7 and earn a 3 wicket victory.

Somerset lost by eight wickets to Essex at Taunton. The hosts posted 150-7 with Alviro Petersen undefeated on 26 off 17 balls.

Essex’s response was interrupted by bad light and after a short break, the chase was reduced to 17 overs. The stoppage didn’t halt the visitor’s momentum. They were always in control and reached the revised target of 125 with an over to spare.

Surrey cruised to an 8 wicket victory over Hampshire at the Oval. Hampshire batted first and scraped their way to 131-9 thanks to a late flurry where Kyle Abbott smashed 11 not out off just three balls.

The South African bowler would have felt full of confidence after hitting a few out the middle. He bowled with control, conceding 22 in his three overs. Unfortunately, he was one of only two bowlers to travel at less than 11 runs per over.

A rampant Jason Roy inflicted the damaged as he slapped 63 off 25 balls. Kevin Pietersen managed to spend some much needed time in the middle after Roy’s departure and his 24 not out off 20 balls saw his team home to a comfortable victory with 6 overs to spare.

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