In his 600th appearance across all formats of cricket, the 37-year-old Croft’s unbeaten 115 came to the fore as Lancashire chased down another 300-plus total to take the win.
A 98-run opening stand between Centurion Ben Slater and Sol Budinger (56) helped Nottinghamshire post a total of 338-8 in their 50 overs, putting them in a strong position to progress.
But after a fine batting from Croft, backed by a crucial seventh-wicket stand with Danny Lamb, Lancashire became the first of seven teams to chase a total of 300 or more to do so twice in this year’s competition.
The hosts were looking a bit behind at 237-6 in the 38th over and Lamb came to the crease. He was dismissed when eight runs from 13 balls were needed to win, but Croft ended the match with a boundary and returned unbeaten.
“It’s a great feeling to be there at the end and reach the semi-finals,” Croft said. “White ball wise, it’s going to be there for me. An unbeaten hundred on your home ground to reach the semi-finals is something I won’t forget.”
Lancashire will play Sussex in the last four. Kent’s place in the semi-final against Hampshire never came under doubt as they dominated Leicestershire at Grace Road.
Openers Joy Evison (62) and Ben Compton (56) put on 95 runs for the first wicket and captain Joe Denly scored 65 off 51 balls to ensure the visitors posted a total of 325-8 in their 50 overs.
In response, Harry Podmore took the first three wickets to reduce Leicestershire to 77–3, before Grant Stewart finished the lower-order batting with 4–42. And the hosts were bowled out for 244 in the 43rd over.
The win extends the Kent white-ball career of 46-year-old all-rounder Darren Stevens – who was playing against his hometown club – for at least one more match as they head to the Ageas Bowl on Tuesday.