Delray Rawlins and his Sussex Sharks team-mates were denied the chance of hosting a Vitality Blast quarter-final match at home after suffering a six-wicket defeat by hosts Hampshire Hawks in their penultimate South group match at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton last night.

The visitors scored 183 for six after winning the toss and electing to bat, with Bermudian Rawlins among those in double figures.

The all-rounder smashed two sixes and a four in a brisk knock of 22 from 11 balls batting at No 4.

Rawlins added 28 in three overs with Ravi Bopara, who led the Sussex scoring with 62 from 42 balls, before he became the third wicket to fall in the sixteenth over.

Luke Wright, the Sussex captain, was his team’s next high man with 54 from 41 balls.

Opening batsman Wright and Bopara led a fightback as they added 102 for the second wicket after wicketkeeper Phil Salt (4) was dismissed by the second ball of the match.

Middle-order batsman Rashid Khan was the remaining Sussex batsman in double figures having blasted four fours and a six in a knock of 26 from 13 balls.

Off spinner Liam Dawson took the new ball and claimed two for 15, while first-change Scott Currie had two for 54 to lead the Hampshire attack.

The hosts, who were playing their second game of the day — both wins — made a solid start to their reply, as captain James Vince and D’Arcy Short produced a 120-run opening stand in 12 overs.

Sussex soldiered on and were eventually rewarded after picking up three quick wickets, including the prized scalp of Vince shortly after reaching his century off 56 balls, later in the innings to keep the match interestingly poised heading down the final stretch.

However, an unbroken 16-run fifth-wicket partnership between Joe Weatherley (24) and wicketkeeper Lewis McManus (3) saw the home side safely across the line with four balls to spare.

Vince produced a genuine captain’s innings to lead the run chase with 102 from only 59 balls in 77 minutes, which included 14 fours and three sixes.

Short was next high man for the hosts with 35 from 29 balls that contained three fours and a six.

Sixth-change bowler Will Beer was the pick of the Sussex attack with two for 20.

Rawlins, who was brought into the attack as fourth change, went for 26 in the only two overs he sent down with his slow left-arm.

Third-placed Sussex are away to leaders Kent Spitfires in their final group match tomorrow.