ESSEX once again lost in the T20 Blast batting first thanks to Luke Wright's stunning unbeaten century in a world record chase for Sussex.
Chasing 225, the Sharks' batsman smashed 153 from just 66 balls, recording the highest ever T20 domestic score to help his side win by seven wickets.
Tom Westley's 109 not out from 58 balls was aided by Jesse Ryder's 75 from 37, but it wouldn't be enough for the Eagles.
Despite the defeat, Essex still topped the South Group and will now play the Birmingham Bears on Saturday August 2 at Chelmsford.
Chris Nash won the toss and elected to bowl first, knowing that Essex's only losses in the competition have come setting a total.
The Eagles got off to a bad start when Mark Pettini (2) was run out by Craig Cachopa on the fourth ball of the innings.
But Ryder took over the mantle, smashing the ball to all areas of Chelmsford. He particularly enjoyed the bowling of Matt Hobden, taking 22 off one over, including three massive sixes.
Westley (109*) also got in on the act, hitting Yasir Arafat for three consecutive fours from one over.
But it was the New Zealander who was centre stage, reaching his 50 from just 21 balls, including six 4's and three 6's.
Westley showed a fine array of shots, reverse sweeping Will Beer for four and then bringing up the 100 partnership from 48 balls with a pull to the boundary.
At the halfway point, Essex had cruised to 113, despatching the Sussex bowlers to all parts.
Ryder was eventually caught by Matt Machan off Nash eventually caught for a fantastic 75.
Westley then moved onto his 50 from just 32 balls, pulling Steffan Piolet for six over square leg.
Ravi Bopara (4) went cheaply to Arafat, but Ryan ten Doeschate (30*) came to the crease and joined in the fun.
In the final over, Westley reached his 100 from just 56 balls in style with a massive six over square leg.
In reply, David Masters bowled Nash (0) just third ball of the Sharks' innings with Craig Cachopa (10) also being bowled, this time by Graham Napier.
Wright took over the innings, living up to his T20 billing reaching his 50 from just 26 deliveries.
Machan (41*) joined him when Greg Smith ran out Cachopa (10), and the left-hander continued the onslaught, smashing Masters over his head for six.
But the man of the moment was Wright who continued to despatch the Eagles bowling, and sent the Sharks towards the total.
His fierce hitting that contained 12 fours and 11 sixes, knocked away Napier's previous record of 152, also at Chelmsford.
