Vitality Blast 2019, road to quarterfinals: Sussex Sharks, Worcestershire Rapids

South Division toppers Sussex Sharks will host the third quarterfinal of the 2019 Vitality Blast on September 6, against defending champions Worcestershire Rapids, who finished third in the North Division, at County Ground, Hove.

Sussex Sharks

The other teams in the South Division might have caught up with the Sharks towards the end, but there is little doubt that they were the dominant team. Having stayed unbeaten for their first 8 matches, the Sharks had qualified for the top eight well over a week ago, while the three other teams had to wait till the last day.

Sussex won by 9 wickets twice, against Kent Spitfires and Glamorgan, both at Hove, with Philip Salt (63* in 44, 78* in 42 respectively) starring in both matches. Contributions also came from Tymal Mills (4-0-23-3) and Laurie Evans (65* in 35) in the first match, and from Reece Topley (4-0-20-3) and from Luke Wright (56 in 35) in the second.

Star players: Tymal Mills (7 wickets, economy 6.52), Philip Salt (334 runs, SR 157), Alex Carey (256 runs, SR 151)

League record: Won 8, lost 3, tied 1, no result 2, NRR +0.803, rank 1st

Worcestershire Rapids

The Rapids did not win even once in their last 3 outings, but their 6 wins (4 in their first 5 decided matches) were enough to see them through to the next round. They need to win only thrice more, and with Moeen Ali back in the fray, they do stand with a chance.

Like the Sharks, the Rapids, too, have won by 9 wickets twice, against Durham at New Road and against Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston. The first, especially, was an astonishing chase, where they got to 184 in just 12.5 overs thanks to Martin Guptill (86* in 31) and Riki Wessels (74 in 29). Wessels (65* in 51) starred in the second match too, as did Moeen (85* in 46).

Star players: Moeen Ali (191 runs, SR 162, 7 wickets, economy 8.35), Riki Wessels (349 runs, SR 147), Wayne Parnell (144 runs, SR 145, 11 wickets, economy 8.43)

League record: Won 6, lost 5, no result 3, NRR +0.205, rank 4th