Derbyshire v Northamptonshire T20

Northamptonshire 186-7 (Zaib 92, Neesham 28, Scrimshaw 2-34)

Derbyshire 192-4 (Madsen 73, Masood 58, Kerr 29)

Derbyshire won by six wickets

You know, the only problem with this run that Derbyshire are on right now is that I am running out of adjectives and superlatives. Where's Dr Johnson when you need him?

That run chase tonight was amazing, very much in the mould of those I have seen Shan Masood's Multan Sultans do in the PSL. Get a boundary early in the over, taking the pressure off, then milk it around for ones and twos.

We aren't used to that professionalism around these parts, but once Masood and Madsen got going, this was a batting masterclass. While Shan played an innings of brilliance, Wayne played one of genius. 

It was again a team effort and needed to be, with Saif Zaib playing a very good hand for the visitors that enabled them to get over the early loss of both Lynn and Cobb, their real batting heavyweights. It was clearly a good batting track and I was again pleased with how we pulled the opposition back at the end. Watt and Scrimshaw again did the business and credit needs tonight to go to Hayden Kerr, for a good all round effort.

His 1-29 included the wicket of Cobb, who looked in the mood for a big score, while he then gave early impetus after the loss of Luis Reece with a quickfire 29, including two sixes.

That was but the aperitif for a sumptuous stand between Masood and Madsen that turned the game. You might live to be a hundred, but you will rarely see better batting than the 95 they added in just eight spellbinding overs.

The captain was wristy, elegant, class personified. Meanwhile, Madsen played an innings that made a mockery of his never having played for England. Reverse sweeps for six, flicks over the keeper for four (he did it twice, to show it was no fluke), booming drives. This was batting on a level beyond the compass of mere mortals and the visitors seemed about four fielders short. His runs came at two a ball and in this mood he must be impossible to bowl at. 

Both men went before the end to rousing receptions from a good crowd that knew they had witnessed something special. There was no panic, because the job was almost done and with du Plooy and Guest at the crease it would be signed off.

Leus finished it in the grand manner, a huge hit for six from the bowling of Jimmy Neesham. This was a very good win over a side themselves playing top class cricket. The smiles on the faces of the Derbyshire coaching staff told a story, one of five straight T20 wins, a new club record, six in total. 

These are such heady days. One win from three now should see us to the knockouts. Who would have considered that after last year, when essentially  the same group  was very poor in all formats? Second in the group with a very good net run rate. Wow! 

Meanwhile at Trent Bridge, Nottinghamshire lost again and look very unlikely to progress from the group. Leicestershire, a side we beat twice, are also playing magnificent cricket and making a mockery of those who suggest 'smaller' counties should be dispensed with.

If that's the case, I don't know what they will do with all that land at Trent Bridge... 

If we can win there on Thursday, this may go down as the greatest June on record.

I think it is close already.

Sensational, gentlemen. You are doing us proud!