Gloucestershire reached their sixth Lord's final in five seasons with a tense one-wicket win over Derbyshire in the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy semi-final in Bristol.

They will meet either Worcestershire or Lancashire, who face each other at New Road tomorrow in their latest knockout showpiece, having won four of their previous five finals.

Another solid team performance has put the domestic one-day kings in with a chance of making it six one-day titles under coach John Bracewell, who leaves the county next month to take charge of New Zealand.

Ironically, it was Shoaib Malik, one of their younger members and most recent addition who was instrumental in the win with a composed 74, which earned the man-of-the-match award.

Pakistan all-rounder Malik will not be with the county for the August 30 final as Ian Harvey returns from international duty with Australia next week, but he left his mark with a mature innings at the end of his 2-week stint.

Derbyshire's 219 appeared an under-par score but four wickets inside the first 15 overs of the reply brought hope and Malik, who impressed Bracewell with his performances against England in the NatWest Challenge, to the crease.

Particularly strong off his pads, the wristy Malik rebuilt the chase during a 56-run stand with Alex Gidman for the fifth wicket and added a further 59 with captain Mark Alleyne, who caused some late panic by chipping to extra-cover moments before Jack Russell was adjudged caught behind, both off left-arm spinner Lian Wharton.

Then Cork, who went for 25 in his first two overs, claimed two wickets in an over - Malik caught at fine leg from a hook and Martyn Ball taken at third slip pushing off the back foot.

That left James Averis and Mike Smith to negotiate the three runs required from the final five overs and after some flashes outside the off-stump, the former tucked Graeme Welch off his pads for four to the jubilation of a healthy crowd.

* Kent were made to struggle for wickets in sweltering conditions at Canterbury with South Africa hitting 325 for four declared after deciding to make first use of an easy-paced pitch.

Jacques Kallis - playing his first first-class match since January this year - was in fine form with 77.

Herschelle Gibbs was caught low at second slip off Alamgir Sheriyar early on, then Gary Kirsten retired hurt with a bruised right elbow after making 40 out of 44. He was struck by a ball from Martin Saggers.

Kallis was beaten three times by Saggers before opening his shoulders.