Sussex have missed out on a place in the Vitality Blast T20 final.

They were beaten fairly comfortably by Kent in today’s second semi-final at Edgbaston.

Kent, who won the toss, set 168-8 and Sharks never really challenged after the early demise of openers Phil Salt and Luke Wright.

They were dismissed for 147 off the final ball of the 20th over to lose by 21 runs.

Defeat marks the end of the Sussex careers of Salt and Chris Jordan, who are joining Lancashire and Surrey respectively.

No one did more to brighten a tough day – which completed a challenging year for the club across the formats – than George Garton.

The Brighton-born all-rounder, who jets off for IPL action tomorrow, took 2-24 in his four overs and played some nice shots when making 41.

Opener Daniel Bell-Drummond led Kent with 82 off 51 balls after Garton’s two early wickets.

SEMI-FINAL SCORECARD

He looked set to post a record Finals Day score – beating Wright’s 92 three years ago – before being caught in the deep by Ravi Bopara.

There were moments of encouragement for Sussex, not least when Tymal Mills claimed two wickets with successive balls.

Darren Stevens watched the potential hat-trick ball go wide of off-stump before leading Kent to their challenging total with an unbeaten 47 from 28 balls.

Sussex needed at least one of their openers to fire but Salt edged behind looking to drive and Wright was desperately unfortunate to play on.

Delray Rawlins had not really got going when he fell to a stunning catch behind point by Jack Leaning.

Stevens then came into the attack and, with his first delivery, bowled David Wiese via an inside edge.

Sussex hopes appeared over when Bopara edged Qais Ahmed and Sam Billings took a smart catch behind the stumps.

Garton kept them flickering with three sixes in his 41 off 23 before cutting to short third man, where Grant Stewart held a fine catch low down.