Sussex have booked their place in the quarter-finals of the NatWest T20 Blast – without having to step on to the pitch.

The Sharks picked up the point they required to reach the knockout stages for the first time since 2012 when their final south group game at Surrey was washed out before a ball was bowled.

With Essex’s game against table-toppers Kent also abandoned it meant Sussex finished second to secure a home tie against Northamptonshire on Wednesday, August 12.

Coach Mark Robinson said: “Reaching the quarter-finals was our No.1 objective at the beginning of the season so to achieve that is really pleasing and to get a home tie is a bonus.

"To finish second in such a tough group is something we can be very proud of especially with all the injury setbacks we’ve had to deal with.”