Sussex 118 for 2 (Hughes 35) beat Lancashire 114 (Livingstone 43, Jennings 37) by eight wickets

When Archer, playing his first game in the Blast since 2021, rearranged Saqib Mahmood's stumps, Lancashire had been bowled out for just 114, the lowest first-innings score at Hove in eight years. Brad Currie struck twice with his inswingers, while spinners James Coles and Jack Carson kept the brakes on through the middle - but Robinson was the star.

"I didn't expect to have him much at all in the Blast," Mills said. "But once it looked like he was getting left out of the England team, he was with us from the start and has been fantastic. He's been thinking about the game, helping me out in the field, and I can't speak highly enough of him. It's been a huge boost to have him."

Robinson is not renowned as the most athletic fielder but was quick to point out on Sky Sports that his direct hit was his second of the season. "He's in excellent shape," Mills said. "He's clearly enjoying his cricket. He's really committed down here -- he's signed a contract extension for next year -- and is in a really good place at the moment."

Either way, this was a promising showing: on an admittedly helpful pitch, Robinson bowled with decent pace, nipped the new ball around and showed his skills to york Jennings. He has 18 Blast wickets at 20.38 this season to supplement 30 at 28.16 in the Championship, and will relish the chance to perform on the big stage at Finals Day next Saturday.

This was an exceptional night for Sussex, and the mood at Hove has changed considerably. Only two years ago, they finished second-last in the County Championship with a single win in the season, and won four T20 games out of 14. Now, they are three games away from clinching promotion in the Championship and two away from the Blast title.

The County Ground was sold out, and the crowd welcomed Salt and Luke Wells back with pantomime boos as their names were announced on the tannoy. Sussex will not have Archer available at Edgbaston on account of England's T20I series against Australia - but after this 10th T20 win of the season, they have reason to believe they can break a 15-year wait for this trophy.