Sussex saw their NatWest T20 Blast hopes go up in smoke – despite fireworks from Luke Wright.

The Sharks opener fired a brilliant century in their South Group clash at Hampshire last night.

But he never really received the support he needed once Chris Nash had gone.

And the result was another agonising late defeat for Sharks, whose fate was eventually assured off the penultimate ball of a thrilling contest.

Sussex needed ten off the last two balls to grab the win and Wright, going for the big hit, was dropped.

The batsmen only scampered two in the time it took the ball to be returned to the middle, leaving eight required from the final delivery.

Such close defeats have been the story of Sharks’ campaign this season.

But they would have won this had any batsman been able to play sensibly and stay with the imperious Wright.

Wright slugged 116 not out from 66 deliveries but opening partner Nash was the only other man in double figures, with 28, in Sussex's 171-8.

Hampshire lost two quick wickets but recovered to make 177-3, Michael Carberry hitting 87 not out and Jimmy Adams 52 before Sean Ervine added 32 not out from 14 balls.