Sangakkara century sends Surrey to final

A whirlwind century by Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara has propelled Surrey into the final of English county cricket's one-day cup.

The veteran left-hander, who has signed for the Hobart Hurricanes in this year's KFC T20 Big Bash League, made 166 in 138 balls, a season high for the tournament, as Surrey saw off Nottinghamshire by four runs in a thrilling match at The Oval on Monday.

They will now face Gloucestershire at Lord's on September 19, after Gloucestershire captain and Alcohol. Think Again Western Warriors batsman Michael Klinger propelled his team into the final with a superb 137 not out on Sunday.

Quick single: Klinger sees Gloucestershire into finals

Chasing 301 for victory, Nottinghamshire stumbled early after 17-year-old Sam Curran took two wickets in two balls in his first over, falling to 3-16 and feeling the pinch of missing batsmen Alex Hales and James Taylor, who are on England duty.

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Sangakkara plays a ramp shot in the 49th over // Getty Images

But Greg Smith led the recovery with an outstanding 124, helped by Samit Patel and Dan Christian who added a fifty each.

Nottinghamshire headed into the final over needing 14 runs, but Tom Curran, Sam's brother, held his nerve to seal a four-run win for Surrey.

Quick single: Hat-trick secures Surrey's promotion

Earlier, Sangakkara's magnificent innings was a testament to the 37-year-old's physical fitness with 90-yard square boundaries restricting him to 13 fours and one six in just under three hours at the crease.

He showed plenty of flair, notably in the 49th over when he hit successive ramp shots over wicket-keeper Chris Read off left-arm seamer Harry Gurney and a crunching drive through extra cover for a third successive boundary.

He accelerated from 100 to 150 in just 29 deliveries before he failed to clear third man off the first ball of the final over.