DAWID Malan became the first player to score a century for Middlesex in the history of the Twenty20 Cup when he smashed a brilliant 103 off just 54 balls to guide his side into the last four for the first time.
In-form Malan, 20, who reached three figures on his County Championship debut at Uxbridge last month, rescued Middlesex from a disastrous 21 for four with an incredible knock before departing in the final over, in the game switched to the Oval.
The talented youngster, who has now scored 300 runs in this season's competition at an average of 60, reached his 50 off 29 balls and expertly dispatched Simon Marshall and Francois Du Plessis for 48 in only two overs, lofting three sixes off each.
He put on 80 with Eoin Morgan (33), Middlesex's other major star in the competition, and then 74 with Tyron Henderson as the 'hosts' made 176 for seven when at one point they would have been happy with 140.
Lancashire made almost as poor a start, slipping to 14 for three before Andrew Flintoff got stuck into the bowling, but when he was pouched by Malan off a low Steven Finn (2-28) full toss for 53, to add to his three for 17, Lancashire never again looked likely to reach their target.
They got to the last over needing 18 but Henderson again showed his prowess at the death, conceding just five as Middlesex won by 12 runs, Tim Murtagh (3-35) and Murali Kartik (2-28) getting among the wickets as well.
