Dramatic Night Sees T20 Blast Shakeup

Gloucestershire's title defense ended in heartbreak as Sussex's Danny Lamb smashed consecutive boundaries off the final two deliveries at Cheltenham. The Sharks' four-wicket victory propelled them into fourth position, leaving 2022 champions Glos to rue crucial errors including a dropped catch and controversial wide call in the decisive over.

Key moments:

• D'Arcy Short's 66 (45b) anchored Glos' 185/5
• James Coles (62) and Tom Alsop (55) built 106-run partnership
• Lamb's 8* off 3 balls sealed dramatic chase

Cox's Record-Breaking Century Stuns Hampshire

Jordan Cox rewrote the record books with a *stunning 139 off 60 balls** (11 fours, 11 sixes) to keep Essex's qualification hopes alive. The 22-year-old's heroics:

Northern Powerhouses Advance

Lancashire secured a home quarter-final through James Anderson's 3/25 and Jos Buttler's 77 (46b) in their Roses clash:

• Anderson removed dangerous Abdullah Shafique (54)
• Buttler's 9th T20 fifty featured 7 fours and 3 sixes
• Yorkshire finish bottom of North Group

Northamptonshire's progression was confirmed without bowling a ball as Worcestershire's 45-run win over Notts:

• Ethan Brookes' 57 (20b) powered Rapids to 206/7
• Khurram Shahzad (2/18) decimated Outlaws' top order

Friday's Deciders

South Group Showdowns:

• Sussex vs Surrey (Group leaders)
• Kent vs Essex (Elimination clash)

North Group Implications:

• Worcestershire need Birmingham Bears loss
• Leicestershire vs Yorkshire could decide final spot

"It came down to millimeters - that wide call changed everything," lamented Glos coach Mark Alleyne, while Buttler praised Lancashire's "clinical execution under pressure."