DAWID MALAN struck a superb century to help Middlesex reach the finals day of the Twenty20 Cup last night.

The 20-year-old smashed 103 from just 54 balls to help the Crusaders recover from 21-4 to eventually post 176-7 in their quarter-final against Lancashire Lightning at the Brit Oval.

And despite an impressive knock of 53 from Andrew Flintoff, the visitors fell short of their target as they finished on 164-8.

After Billy Godleman (1), Owais Shah (0), Ed Joyce (8) and Ben Scott (1) had all fallen cheaply, Malan teamed up with the in-form Eoin Morgan (33) to put on 80 for the fifth wicket and get Middlesex back on track on their adopted home ground.

Malan hit six sixes and ten fours in his outstanding innings, with spinners Simon Marshall and Francois du Plessis in particular suffering at his hands.

And with all-rounder Tyron Henderson contributing a useful 21 from 13 balls, Middlesex were able to set a competitive target.

Lancashire also struggled early on, falling to 14-3 before Flintoff, who also took 3-17 with the ball, and du Plessis got them back on track.

Flintoff, who is aiming for a recall into the England Test side, took a while to get going before showing his intent as he smashed Shaun Udal's first two balls for six.

But once he was dismissed Lancashire were always up against it. And despite some opportunist late hitting from Glen Chapple and Dominic Cork, Middlesex held out for a 12-run victory.

Tim Murtagh claimed three wickets for the Crusaders, although it was youngster Steven Finn who was the pick of the bowlers as he finished with 2-28 from his four overs to help Middlesex reach the finals day at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, July 26.