Wayne Madsen and Shan Masood keep Derbyshire on track

• Wayne Madsen and Shan Masood hit half-centuries for the Falcons.
• Zaib hit a T20 career-best 92 from 58 balls.
• Derbyshire Falcons have won five games in a row in the Vitality Blast.

Wayne Madsen and Shan Masood set Derbyshire Falcons on track for the Vitality Blast quarter-finals with a six-wicket win over Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Derby.

For the first time in T20 cricket, the Falcons won five games in a row as they chased down an 187 goal with six balls to spare.

Masood smashed 57 off 43 balls, while Madsen smashed 73 off 37 balls. It includes 10 fours and two sixes. As the Falcons cruised to victory at 192 for 4.

The Steelbacks reached 186 for 7 thanks to a T20 career-best 92 from 58 balls from Saif Zaib. But it was not enough as the Falcons closed to within one point of North Group leaders Lancashire Lightning.

After losing two of their key batters in the first four overs of the powerplay, Zaib resurrected the Steelbacks.

Before Hayden Kerr removed Josh Cobb, Chris Lynn skied a swipe at Sam Conners and Madsen held a steepling catch at cover.

Kerr smashed Freddie Heidreich’s opening ball into deep midwicket. But Masood hit the wrist spinner’s following over for two boundaries to keep the Falcons on pace.

Madsen drove and pulled Neesham for two fours to leave the Falcons needing 97 runs off the final ten overs. He reverse swept Graeme White for six as the 11th – produced 14.

Cobb reappeared, but Madsen blasted him for two fours as the Falcons surged towards their goal.

Madsen reached 50 off 24 balls with a reverse-swept six. Though Masood holed out to far on, just 36 runs were required off the final five overs.

In the 19th over, Madsen was caught behind by Neesham, but the game was over as a contest, and Leus du Plooy concluded with a massive six over deep midwicket.