Round-Up: Arafat sinks Warwickshire to record low of 73

Yasir Arafat took 4-5 as Warwickshire were bowled out for just 73 (AFP\Getty)

Warwickshire were bowled out for their lowest ever 20-over total of 73 as Somerset won by 10 wickets at Taunton to keep alive their hopes of a fifth straight Twenty20 finals day.

Warwickshire had never previously been dismissed for fewer than three figures in a 20-over match – but were bowled out inside 17 overs as Somerset’s Yasir Arafat took 4 for 5.

Somerset’s chances of qualifying from the Midlands/Wales/West group of the Friends Life T20 had stuttered after three defeats in a row. But back-to-back wins over Glamorgan and Warwickshire have lifted them firmly back into contention.

Warwickshire won the toss and batted but the hosts reduced them to 13 for 5 inside five overs after an incredible spell in which four wickets fell for one run in just nine deliveries.

Only two Warwickshire batsmen – Rikki Clarke (28) and Darren Maddy (20) – made more than five as the visitors capitulated against Somerset’s seam attack.

Elsewhere, Gloucestershire finally came good at the conclusion of the Cheltenham Festival to thrash Glamorgan by 10 wickets with almost seven overs to spare, and keep alive their slender hopes of qualifying. Slow left-armer Ed Young posted figures of 3 for 21 from four overs and was ably backed up by David Payne, who deployed clever variation with the new ball and at the death to claim 3 for 17.

Hamish Rutherford powered Essex towards the knockout stages with 84 from 43 balls as they eased to a seven-wicket win over Sussex at Hove. The New Zealand opener’s competition best helped his side make light work of a target of 147, as Essex won with 17 balls to spare to move above Middlesex into second place in the South Group following their fifth victory.

Ben Stokes boosted Durham’s qualifying hopes with 46 from 24 balls as they recovered from a poor start to beat Derbyshire by four wickets with eight balls to spare at Chesterfield.

Nottinghamshire virtually ended Yorkshire’s hopes of qualifying with a 25-run victory at Headingley.

South African Richard Levi crashed 70 from 43 balls as Northamptonshire edged closer to a quarter-final spot after beating Worcestershire by five runs at New Road.

Kent edged out Hampshire by eight runs in a tight finish at the Rose Bowl but the hosts are still in a good position to reach the quarter-finals.