Essex booked their place in the quarter finals of the T20 Blast beating Sussex by 28 runs, writes Joe Grant.

The Eagles picked up their eighth victory of the campaign as the Sharks slipped to a ninth defeat of what has been a miserable campaign.

Adam Rossington struck 95 off just 50 balls including ten fours and five sixes to help Essex post a very competitive score of 197 for eight wickets.

Tom Westley provided the power hitting at the end of the innings to push Simson Harmer’s side to just short of 200.

Westley hit 54 runs off just 30 balls including three fours and four sixes which was much needed after Rossington was stumped by Josh Philippe off the bowling of Rawlins five runs short of his maiden T20 century.

Captain Harmer was the key for the Eagles with the ball, taking three wickets for just 18 runs from his four overs.

The spinner picked up the two-important wicket of Ali Orr who was caught in the deep by Michael Pepper.

Ali Orr got Sussex off to a brilliant start, hitting the second over bowled by Daniel Sams for 25. Orr’s 41 from just 21 balls helped put Bopara’s side on 77 runs for one wicket by the end of the powerplay.

Harrison Ward was batting well but was caught for 31 on the boundary by Paul Walter off the bowling of Sams.

The opening bowler recovered well from his first over, picking up three wickets, including the important wicket of Ravi Bopara, caught by Ben Allison running in from long off. The Sharks captain hit 47 from 28 but wasn’t able to guide his side home.

Rossington took apart the Sussex attack in the power play by himself, putting the visitors on 61 runs for no wicket after six overs.

Sussex fought back brilliantly in the middle overs picking up three quick wickets. Rashid Khan had the dangerous Michael Pepper caught by Ali Orr for a duck.

Bopara then bowled both Dan Lawrence and Paul Walter cheaply to bring the Sharks back into the game. The former Essex man took two wickets for 30 runs from his four overs.

Khan was the pick of the bowlers for the home side, taking three wickets for 30 runs from his four over spell.