Sussex Sharks pulled off a world record run chase against the Essex Eagles, as the Birmingham Bears, Glamorgan and Worcestershire Rapids all qualified for the quarter-finals in the T20 Blast this evening.
Luke Wright hit an unbeaten 153 to help Sussex to 223-3 with nine balls to spare in their clash against Essex in Chelmsford. He smashed 12 fours and 11 sixes to record the fourth-highest ever T20 score.
Earlier in the evening, Essex had recorded their second-highest ever T20 total of 225-3, thanks to an unbeaten 109 from Tom Westley and 75 from Jesse Ryder.
Birmingham booked their place in the quarter-finals after recording a 52-run win over Leicestershire Foxes.
Varun Chopra hit 72 from 57 balls, as the hosts reached 160-6 at Edgbaston.
Glamorgan claimed the last quarter-final spot from the South Group thanks to an eight-wicket victory over Gloucestershire.
Murray Goodwin (44) and Jacques Rudolph (41) helped to seal the win after Gloucestershire had set a target of 108-9.
The third team to book their spot in the last eight were Worcestershire, who clinched third spot in the North Group by beating Derbyshire Falcons by 28 runs.
Ross Whiteley hit a career-best unbeaten 84 as the Rapids reached 209-4 off their 20 overs.
Despite Wes Durston, Gareth Cross and Wayne Madsen offering a positive response from the visitors, Derbyshire could only reach 181-7.
Yorkshire Vikings missed out on a spot in the last eight, as they fell to a six-wicket defeat against Nottinghamshire Outlaws.
The home side had looked set to advance after setting a target of 200-5, thanks to Aaron Finch (89) and Jonny Bairstow (60).
However, with Nottinghamshire needing 39 off the final three overs, James Taylor (35*) and James Franklin (19*) guided their side to victory with four balls to spare.
Surrey could have overtaken Essex at the top of the South Group with a win, but they suffered a 21-run defeat against Kent Spitfires at Canterbury.
Darren Stevens hit 67 to help Kent reach 175-7, but Surrey could only make 154-7 in reply, as Mitchell Claydon and James Tredwell each took two wickets.
Somerset were eliminated despite a 22-run win over Middlesex Panthers, as Nick Compton (58) and Marcus Trescothick (46) helped the hosts to 183-3.
Durham Jets beat Lancashire Lightning by five wickets at Chester-le-Street, with neither side able to qualify for the quarter-finals.
John Hastings and Calum MacLeod shared a record-breaking stand of 126, as the Jets won with five balls to spare.
Full results:
Somerset (183-3) beat Middlesex Panthers (161-7) by 22 runs
Kent Spitfires (175-7) beat Surrey (154-7) by 21 runs
Glamorgan (110-2) beat Gloucestershire (108-9) by eight wickets
Sussex Sharks (226-3) beat Essex Eagles (225-3) by seven wickets
Birmingham Bears (160-6) beat Leicestershire Foxes (108) by 52 runs
Worcestershire Rapids (209-4) beat Derbyshire Falcons (181-7) by 28 runs
Durham Jets (199-5) beat Lancashire Lightning (195-3) by five wickets
Nottinghamshire Outlaws (201-4) beat Yorkshire Vikings (200-5) by six wickets
Alex Meyers
