Broad and masterful Maddy help see off Kent

Perennial Twenty20 expert Darren Maddy produced a scintillating knock to steer Leicestershire into the semi-finals at Kent's expense last night. Maddy finished 79 not out off 59 balls as Leicestershire won by nine wickets with two overs to spare at Grace Road.

Kent got off to a dreadful start, crashing to 31 for 4 with England hopeful Stuart Broad picking up three wickets, including that of Rob Key. A hard-hitting 75 from Martin van Jaarsveld helped Kent to 153 for 5 off their 20 overs, but Maddy and Hilton Ackerman then produced a century stand to virtually end the game as a contest.

Key described Broad as "the best young bowler I've ever seen in county cricket", adding: "He was fantastic and made the difference. It won't be long before he will play for England."

Last night's other quarter-final between Essex and Yorkshire at Chelmsford was the closest, with England's forgotten man James Foster hitting 48 off 40 balls off to help Essex win by five wickets. In reply to Yorkshire's 143 for 7, Essex stuttered to 73 for 5 before a partnership between Foster and Ryan ten Doeschate steered them home.

* England seamer Liam Plunkett is expected to miss the second Test against Pakistan starting on Thursday and could be out for the rest of the summer with the side strain picked up bowling for Durham against West Indies A at the weekend.