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Sussex and Somerset advance to Twenty20 finals day

Sussex, Somerset advance to finals day
© PA Photos
Somerset and Sussex advance to Twenty20 finals day at the Swalec Stadium following quarter-final wins over Essex and Gloucestershire respectively.

Sussex Sharks and Somerset Sabres booked their places at Twenty20 finals day with quarter-final victories over Gloucestershire Gladiators and Essex Eagles respectively this evening.

Somerset kicked off the last-eight fixtures with a 27 run win over Essex at Taunton.

James Hildreth top-scored with 58, while England international Jos Buttler also contributed 33 as the Sabres posted a total of 175 for 6 at their home ground.

Ryan ten Doeschate made 47 from just 24 balls in reply but Essex struggled to keep up with the run rate after losing the wickets of England duo Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara.

Scott Styris was the star as Sussex followed Somerset in making the annual showpiece, being held this year at the Swalec Stadium.

The New Zealander smashed a century from just 37 balls - the third-quickest ever in the format - to fire the Sharks to 230 for 3 from their allotted overs.

In a record-breaking knock, Styris took one James Fuller over for 38 runs, which is the most lucrative over in the history of T20 cricket.

Hamish Marshall (42), Dan Housego (47) and Alex Gidman (44) all made well-paced innings but the chase proved too much for the Gladiators, who fell 38 runs short.

The semi-final lineup will be completed tomorrow after Yorkshire play Worcestershire and Nottinghamshire face Hampshire in the other last eight matches.

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