Joe Cracknell struck a maiden white-ball century to power Middlesex past Sussex by 92 runs in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup on Tuesday, sealing the county’s first List A semi-final berth since 1990. Batting first at Radlett, Middlesex posted 354 for 8, built around Cracknell’s 128 off 112 balls and a 202-run third-wicket stand with Nathan Fernandes.
Sussex fought back through half-centuries from John Simpson and Oli Carter but folded for 262, finishing bottom of Group B with a single win all campaign. Sebastian Morgan claimed 4 for 46 to seal the result. Middlesex, who topped the group, will host either Lancashire or Durham in Sunday’s semi-final at the same venue.
Cracknell And Fernandes Rescue Middlesex After Early Wobble
Put in to bat, Middlesex slipped to 20 for 2 inside four overs. Toby Munt struck twice in quick succession — first bowling Joshua de Caires after the opener had smashed consecutive boundaries, then having Ben Geddes caught at slip. From there, Cracknell and Fernandes took charge. Cracknell used the pull shot aggressively, hit the innings’ first six off Danial Ibrahim, and reached fifty at better than a run a ball.
Fernandes played the calmer role early before accelerating after the drinks break, hitting three straight fours off Troy Henry. Henry eventually broke the stand at 222, removing Fernandes for 92 courtesy of a diving catch by Freddie Price at long-on. Cracknell continued past his century, reaching three figures off just 87 balls, before falling for 128. Late hitting from Aaryan Sawant, who cracked three consecutive sixes off Price, and a brutal final over from Eathan Bosch — 33 runs off 10 balls against Munt — pushed the total past 350 and out of Sussex’s reach.
Sussex Batters Fight But Fall Short Of Target
Chasing 355, Sussex lost Charlie Tear cheaply despite being dropped early in his innings, caught by Morgan after making 15. Noah Cornwell struck twice in his opening spell, removing Ibrahim and captain Jack Leaning to leave Sussex under early pressure.
Carter steadied the innings, surviving a dropped chance off Zafar Gohar before driving him for six and later reaching his first fifty of the tournament with a cover drive. His dismissal, sweeping Luke Hollman straight to deep square leg, left Sussex at 120 for 6 and searching for partnerships.
Simpson and Price then added 73 for the seventh wicket, with Price making 37 off 31 balls, delaying the finish but not preventing it. Munt added late runs with three sixes in a 26-ball innings before Morgan returned to take the final two wickets and confirm Middlesex’s win.
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Middlesex Confirm Semi-Final Spot At Radlett
The victory marks Middlesex’s fourth straight One-Day Cup win and secures their place in the knockout stage after 36 years without a List A final appearance. Cracknell’s century, his first in white-ball cricket, anchored an innings that overcame early setbacks with sustained partnerships through the middle overs.
Sussex’s defeat confirms their exit at the bottom of Group B, ending their campaign with only one win from the group stage. Middlesex now turn their attention to their semi-final at Radlett on Sunday, where the opponent will be decided by the result between Lancashire and Durham.
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