MAL Loye blasted Lancashire into the Twenty20 finals as they crushed Hampshire by nine wickets at the Rose Bowl in a superb all-round display.

The top order had no problems chasing a target of 121 and cruised to victory with 21 balls to spare. Not even Shane Warne could stop the Lancashire batsmen, and Loye was at his destructive best with 64 from 56 balls.

His trademark sweep of the seamers was on show and he also came down the track to dispatch the great Australian leg-spinner to the boundary.

An opening partnership of 56 with Steven Crook virtually sealed the win as the Hampshire bowlers could not extract the same help from the pitch that the visitors had managed.

Crook struck 27 from just 16 balls, including a six over square leg, as Lancashire knocked off nearly half their target by the end of the fielding restrictions and it was left to Mark Chilton (23 not out) to help Loye see their team over the winning line.

Stand-in skipper Carl Hooper said: "It's great to get to the finals. The ball moved around a bit and our bowlers put in a super display and then Loye played very well to see us home."

The victory was set up by an excellent bowling and fielding effort. Glen Chapple took 2-14 from his four overs, while the other bowlers chipped in with a wicket each. Hampshire could not gain any late momentum. only reaching 120-9.

Lancashire will now join Surrey, Leicestershire and Glamorgan on the finals day at Edgbaston on August 7.