HAMPSHIRE remain on course for a seventh successive T20 quarter-final after a dramatic win against Sussex.

James Vince continued his love affair with Hove in leading his side to a vital victory, his unbeaten 62-ball 90 (11 fours, one six) laying the foundation for Hampshire’s 204-5 – their highest T20 total for five years.

Sussex were on course to overhaul it, but Yasir Arafat bowled a sensational last over to secure a thrilling four-run win.

It means Hampshire will probably qualify for the last eight if they win at home to Somerset on Thursday night. Arafat was one of three Hampshire players with Sussex links to play key roles during the dramatic denouement.

He ensured Luke Wright and Chris Nash would not share the fourth century partnership against Hampshire in this season’s T20 Blast by ending their 98-run opening stand at the end of the ninth over.

Then former Sussex junior Mason Crane, having conceded 17 from his first over, had Matt Machan brilliantly caught by Jackson Bird, diving forward as he ran in from long-off, with his fifth ball from the Sea End.

Two years after being released by Sussex, former Brighton & Hove Albion striker Joe Gatting then held on to three big catches at long-on in nine balls from Chris Wood.

Sussex needed 34 from the last three overs with two new batsmen at the crease after Nash (88) and former Hampshire batsman George Bailey (33) holed out in the 17th.

But Craig Cachopa, Sussex’s hero at The Ageas Bowl last month, crashed Wood for two sixes at the end of the penultimate over to make the home side favourites again.

No matter.

With only ten runs needed, Arafat reminded Sussex of his quality with a succession of yorkers.

It was the least Vince deserved for a fine innings and for being brave enough to give an 18 year-old leg-spinner a bowl with so much at stake.

Vince’s cover driving was at its imperious best as he raced to his third fifty in four T20 innings at Hove.

He put on 93 from only 53 balls with Adam Wheater, whose 27-ball 51 included three sixes, and 72 from 39 balls with Owais Shah, whose 23-ball 40 was a delightful cameo.

Hampshire bowling: Smith 4-0-45-0, Bird 1-0-14-0, Wood, 4-0-40-3, Yasir Arafat 4-0-40-1, Briggs 4-0-24-0, Crane 3-0-34-1.