Sussex’s dream of reaching Twenty20 finals day was blown away by a brutal innings by England all-rounder David Willey.

Willey smashed 100 off just 40 balls – including 34 off one Mike Yardy over – as Northamptonshire crushed the Sharks by seven wickets with 24 balls to spare at Hove.

The 25-year-old smashed ten sixes as he raced from 50 to his first T20 century in just 13 deliveries before finally holing out.

Willey’s pyrotechnics came after he had taken 3-27 to restrict Sussex to 165-7 after Chris Nash and Mahela Jayawardene had laid the foundations for what should have been a far bigger total.

The pair both made half centuries in a partnership of 84 from 48 balls but Sussex lost their way when Jayawardene was superbly caught by Josh Cobb on the fine leg boundary for 50.

Sussex lost their own big-hitter in the Willey mould when Luke Wright fell for a duck in the second over after Northants had won the toss and put the hosts in to bat.

Willey – who else – made that breakthrough but Nash and Jayawardene led an impressive response as they put on 84 from just 48 balls to lay the foundations for Sussex.

Jayawardene made good use of the scoop and also launched Olly Stone for a massive six as he raced to his 50 from 30 balls.

The Sri Lankan looked in the mood to continue to punish the Northants bowling when he was superbly caught by Josh Cobb one handed on the fine leg boundary.

George Bailey was on the end of a poor lbw decision to go for just five despite clearly hitting the ball.

Nash brought up his 50 from 33 balls by sweeping Cobb for his fifth four but fell shortly afterwards when he was hit in front by a full ball from Rory Kleinveldt.

Kleinveldt bowled Craig Cachopa for 13 three balls later as Northants fought their way back into the game.

Chris Jordan – making his return after two months out through injury - managed just six when he skied Willey to mid-off.

Will Beer was caught on the midwicket boundary in the final over for 16 as Willey finished with figures of 3-27 with Matt Machan finishing unbeaten on 15.

Northants set about chasing down that underpar total with gusto with Willey smashing Jordan’s first over for 18.

He and Richard Levi blasted 60 from the powerplay and had taken the total to 74-0 after seven overs when the introduction of Will Beer brought Sussex the breakthrough they needed.

The leg-spinner trapped Levi lbw reverse-sweeping for 24, although replays suggested the Steelbacks opener was a little unfortunate.

Willey extinguished Sussex’s hopes in the following over as he plundered 34 off Mike Yardy – just missing out on six sixes by the matter of a couple of feet.

The game was pretty much over from that point with Northants 112-1 after just nine overs, leaving them requiring 54 from the last 11 overs.

The only question was how many records Willey could break as he smashed Mills for three sixes in an over to bring up his 100 from 40 balls.

He was out from the very next delivery when he was caught on the boundary attempting to clear the ropes for the 11th time.

Northants only needed another 29 for victory and although Beer picked up the wicket of Ben Duckett it was irrelevant as Cobb guided them home with an unbeaten 22.