Pollard and Buttler sink Notts to clinch semi-final spot

County Round-up

Somerset upset the odds to claim a six-wicket victory over Nottinghamshire in the t20 quarter-finals yesterday.

Having qualified fourth in their group, the West Country side travelled to Trent Bridge as underdogs but restricted top seeds Nottinghamshire to 169 for 5, with Lewis Gregory and Alfonso Thomas both finishing with bowling figures of 2 for 35. After a steady start, including 49 from Craig Kieswetter, Somerset still needed 63 off the last five overs but Kieron Pollard and Jos Buttler's partnership of 66 in 26 balls saw them home.

Joining Somerset in the final four are Hampshire, after their 55-run win over Durham. This victory means that they progress here as one of the favourites to win the competition, having topped their group and having lost just two of 17 matches this year. Upon posting 154 for 6, which included an early scare after Shahid Afridi was run out for a duck without facing a ball, Hampshire bowled the visitors out for under a ton, with spinner Danny Briggs taking career-best Twenty20 figures of 5 for 19.

In Saturday's action, Leicestershire also advanced into the semi-finals with a three-wicket victory over Kent. Kent put up a strong total of 203 but a late flurry of runs from Leicestershire saw them clinch victory inside the final over.

In his final competitive game before retirement, Leicestershire wicket-keeper Paul Nixon played a key part in chasing Kent's score, hitting 31 off 17 deliveries. Good support down the order ensured his side finished with 206 for 7 – and a place on finals day. Sussex host Lancashire in the remaining quarter final tonight.