Surrey Reach T20 Blast Finals Day with Win Over Durham

Surrey secured their place at T20 Blast Finals Day by overcoming a strong challenge from Durham. In their chase of 163 runs, Surrey’s solid middle-order partnership between Dom Sibley and Sam Curran turned the game around. After losing three early wickets and falling to 53-3, Sibley (67) and Curran (52) combined for a crucial 95-run stand. They guided Surrey to victory with two overs to spare.

Durham, who batted first, struggled initially, collapsing to 36-4 by the eighth over. Despite this poor start, they fought back to post a competitive total of 162-8 at The Oval. Contributions from Michael Jones (37 not out) and lower-order players Ashton Turner, Bas de Leede and Ben Raine helped Durham recover from their early setbacks.

Surrey’s pace bowlers, Dan Worrall (2-14) and Reece Topley (2-20), made early breakthroughs, putting Durham on the back foot. Sam Curran’s quick thinking, including a run-out of Colin Ackermann left Durham at 61-5 halfway through their innings. Despite a valiant effort from the lower order, Durham could not set a defendable total.

In response, Surrey’s chase was initially stifled by Durham’s bowlers. Brydon Carse dismissed England’s Will Jacks and Laurie Evans and Rory Burns also fell cheaply. However, Sibley and Curran’s pivotal partnership saw Surrey through. Although both Sibley and Curran were dismissed before the end, Jamie Overton stepped in to hit the winning runs.

The remaining T20 Blast quarter-finals are as follows:

• Wednesday: Sussex Sharks vs. Lancashire Lightning (19:00, Hove)
• Thursday: Northamptonshire Steelbacks vs. Somerset (18:30, Northampton)
• Friday: Birmingham Bears vs. Gloucestershire (19:00, Edgbaston)