Maddy inspired by Twenty20 buzz

By Jamie Lillywhite

Maddy has been a consistent match-winner for the Foxes

If England were discussing a Twenty20 squad, Leicestershire's Darren Maddy would surely be in contention.

The 32-year-old has embraced the newest format of the game in some style, and is the highest run-scorer worldwide.

He played three Tests and eight one-day matches for England, but has not featured in the international arena since 2000.

"I still think I could play a very valuable role," the 32-year-old said.

"I'm playing good one-day cricket, I've had some big scores in the C&G, the Pro40 and also the Twenty20 which raises your profile.

"There are a lot of good players, I don't know how England would think about for a Twenty20 World Cup but I'd like to think I've got a chance.

"I'd love to play Test cricket again but realistically I think my chances lie in the one-day team."

TWENTY20 CUP FINALS DAY Saturday, 12 August 1130 BST First semi-final: Essex v Leicestershire 1500 BST Second semi-final: Surrey v Nottinghamshire 1915 BST Final Listen to the semi-finals on BBC Five Live Sports Extra, the final on BBC Radio Five Live and all matches on this website

Maddy's career has been revitalised by the Twenty20 format and he is preparing for Saturday's finals day at Trent Bridge.

It is Leicestershire's fourth successive appearance in finals day and he told BBC Sport about the dramatic impact the competition has had.

"I enjoy playing all formats but this competition, with the crowds coming out to watch gives you a chance to show off your skills," he enthused.

"You don't get the chance to do that very often unless you're playing for England or you make a Lord's final.

"That's the attraction, when you do have a good day lots of people are there to watch it and that gives you a real buzz."

One of the significant technical differences has been the implementation of new strokes and styles of bowling, quite removed from the classics as prescribed in the MCC coaching manual.

Maddy has been particularly prolific with various forms of the reverse sweep, even turning it into a reverse hook, as practised by England's Kevin Pietersen.

Maddy demonstrates his prolific reverse sweep.

"It's become increasingly popular because of Twenty20 but batsmen are playing it in all forms of the game, normal one-day games and four-day games," he explained.

"I can always remember Ian Botham playing it many years ago and more recently playing against Warwickshire I thought Roger Twose and Asif Din were fantastic exponents of it.

"It's not something I've practiced, I've thought about it and watched other people play but I've got my own unique way of hitting it and very rarely have I missed out on it.

"Bowlers are holding their line and length better and bowling much better slower balls, better yorkers and it is becoming difficult but batsmen are always looking to overcome that.

"The game has developed overall, in the field as well, with new techniques to get the ball in quicker so the whole game has improved because of Twenty20."

Finals day is the most exciting day of the season, so much fun, there's so much buzz and energy around the ground it's difficult to keep your focus Darren Maddy

Although the Foxes have won only two Championship matches this season, they have managed to maintain their proud record of reaching every finals day since the competition began in 2003, this year under the shrewd leadership of wily spinner Jeremy Snape.

"He's a very canny captain, cunning bowler, and he excels in this form of the game, but we've got so many good performers," Maddy observed.

"We have always had a good one-day team but probably under-achieved and somehow Twenty20 has suited the way we play.

"We've got some very good game plans and we've been very lucky at Leicester that we've had some fantastic support.

"It makes a huge difference playing at home with a crowd that really gets behind you, 7,000 people packed in at Grace Road, an electric atmosphere and they definitely help us get on top of the opposition.

"It's a competition all the lads want to be part of, every club wants to have a good run in. When it first started, people didn't know how to view it but clubs probably start planning at pre-season now.

"Finals day is the most exciting day of the season, so much fun, there's so much buzz and energy around the ground it's difficult to keep your focus.