Liam Livingstone came up with a remarkable undefeated 85 from 45 balls to book Lancashire’s ticket to Vitality Blast Finals Day as they beat Kent by three wickets at Old Trafford.
Throughout his innings, Livingstone was eyeing the boundary, knocking seven sixes and four fours on the way to wrapping up his side’s win with nine balls remaining as they reached their target of 154.
Stand out for Kent was Fred Klaassen (3-14) but even his bowling did not prove the difference as Lancashire got over the line.
It was the Spitfires who won the toss and decided to bat but their innings got off to a horror start as Tawanda Muyeye (0) fell from the first delivery at the hands of Luke Wood (3-29).
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Jimmy Anderson had a moment to forget as he prevented Kent’s Joe Denly being run out by knocking the bails off with his hand rather than the ball
That brought Zak Crawley (27) to the crease on his return to the side but, after 18 deliveries, he was sent walking with his side on 65-3.
Livingstone then took his chance to shine with the ball as he claimed 2-21 from a four-over spell, working in unison with Tom Hartley (1-21) to decimate Kent’s attacking abilities.
Joey Evison (27) and Grant Stewart (25) attempted to rally for the visitors but Tom Aspinwall (2-12), alongside Wood, finished the job as Kent were all out for 153.
Despite a relatively low target to chase, Kent were perked up as Lancashire quickly fell to 5-2, Phil Salt (3) and Luke Wells (1) departing early before captain Keaton Jennings (4) also failed to make a dent.
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However, Livingstone then took centre stage and started by slapping Nathan Gilchrist (0-37) for six as he asserted his dominance.
Ashton Turner (22) stayed alongside Livingstone until he was caught at deep midwicket, Livingstone having rapidly made a half-century from 25 deliveries in that time.
Former Lancashire spinner Matt Parkinson (2-46) then piled the pressure on as he dismissed Michael Jones (28) and Tom Hartley (0) but that only saw Livingstone ramp up once again, the boundaries returning as he got his side into Finals Day with his superb unbeaten 85.
Dickson inspires Somerset secure dramatic win over Bears
Sean Dickson inspired Somerset to a dramatic victory in their quarter-final against Birmingham Bears at Taunton and they will now take on Lancashire.
Dickson’s unbeaten 71 helped his side reach their target of 191 with a ball to spare after the visitors had earlier reached 190-6.
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Sean Dickson hits the winning runs, completing an incredible unbeaten 71 from 26 balls to send Somerset through to the Vitality Blast semi-finals
Somerset required 19 off the last over for victory and Dickson completed his almost single-handed assault on their opponents by steering the penultimate ball from Ed Barnard for a single following back-to-back sixes and a four.
Dickson reached his 71 off just 26 balls and included five big sixes, while Tom Abell (51) also provided plenty of sterling resistance with an earlier 51.
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The Bears, aiming to reach Finals Day for the first time since 2017, had looked favourites with captain Alex Davies hitting a quick 71 after fellow opener Rob Yates fell for 25.
But it fell to Dickson to keep the hosts in the hunt and his winning run sparked jubilation in the Taunton stands and sealed Somerset’s fifth consecutive appearance in Finals Day.
Vitality Blast quarter-finalsWednesday Sep 3: Northants beat Surrey by seven runsFriday Sep 5: Hampshire beat Durham by 26 runsSaturday Sep 6: Lancashire beat Kent by three wicketsSaturday Sep 6: Somerset beat Bears by four wicketsFinals Day, Edgbaston, Saturday September 13, live on Sky Sports11am: Lancashire vs Somerset2.30pm: Northants vs Hampshire6.45pm: Final
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