Broad catches Key's eye

Stuart Broad celebrates the wicket of Rob Key with his fourth ball © Getty Images

Kent captain Robert Key described Leicestershire 20-year-old paceman Stuart Broad as “the best young bowler I have ever seen in county cricket” after his side crashed to a
nine-wicket defeat in the Twenty20 Cup
quarter-final at Grace Road.

Broad, who played with Key for the England A side against Pakistan at Canterbury recently, claimed 3-13 in a blistering four-over spell to set his side on the way to victory.

Key said: “I thought Broad was fantastic and he made the difference with the ball. He's awesome and it won't be long before he will be playing for England.

“He is the best young bowler I have ever seen in county cricket and I was very impressed with him in the game against Pakistan.”

Leicestershire captain Jeremy Snape said: “This was a great performance from us.

“We have had a terrific record in the competition in previous years and I was a bit nervous taking over the captaincy knowing I had to try to continue that.

“But I couldn't have written a better script than to have Darren Maddy take us through to the finals day yet again.”

Maddy, named man of the match for his unbeaten 79, said: “I have had a quiet season so it was nice to have my time in this match and produce something to take us through to the finals again.”

The innings takes Maddy to 962 runs in the competition, making him the leading scorer since its inception.