Dawid Malan struck a sensational century as Middlesex edged out Lancashire to advance to their first ever finals day in the Twenty20 Cup yesterday.
The two sides played out an enthralling clash at the Brit Oval with momentum changing throughout the evening.
The Crusaders looked down on their feet after a dire start saw them plummet to 21 for four.
But 20-year-old Malan stepped up to the challenge and fired an unstoppable knock of 103 off 54 balls. Eoin Morgan also added 33 as Middlesex recovered to post 176 for seven from their 20 overs.
Lancashire also suffered a slow start to their innings and at 14 for three were up against it. Former England skipper Andrew Flintoff stepped up and hit 53 before he was out smacking Steve Finn's full toss straight to deep square leg.
The visitors left themselves just too much to do and ended 12 runs short on 164 for eight.
The Crusaders' reward is a place at long last in finals day at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, July 26.
