Post by longstop on Aug 8, 2018 19:04:06 GMT
Glamorgan’s narrow win over Essex by 6 runs means that the top six are really pulling away from the bottom three. In the Northern section, Derbyshire’s record of five wins and five defeats puts them one place outside qualifying for the knock out phase. It’s tougher down South though as Surrey with five wins and three defeats are in fifth place in the Southern section. As for Sussex in sixth place, a win seems to be highly important at least to get back into the top pack, although it would help if the three bottom teams could win a few points off the other top teams. I suppose what I am trying to say in a roundabout way is that this game against Surrey is a crunch match.
When you look at Surrey’s performances, it is almost surprising that they are as low as fifth. They have consistently scored plenty of runs in this year’s T20 Blast. Their three defeats have happened when Glamorgan scored impressively, Kent beat them narrowly and a rare (relatively) off day against Middlesex with the bat. However, allowing for foreshortened games and winning games before they have been batting for 20 overs, they have been on course for 200+ in nearly every game, which included a rained off game against Kent when they scored 250.
At Hove in mid-July, Surrey won comfortably by 52 runs, although few of those attending will forget how Finch scored a highly impressive 131 not out from Surrey’s 192 runs having been dropped on 1. Sussex made a poor reply of 140 all out despite a valiant effort from Phil Salt who scored 74.
For Surrey, Aaron Finch has an amazing record in the T20 Blast. He is averaging 119 at a strike rate of 191. They have six other batsmen averaging over 30, two of which have strike rates of 200 or just below – Rikki Clarke and Jason Roy. However, Ollie Pope will be on Test Match duty and will miss the game. The bowling is less impressive with Rikki Clarke and Matthew Pillans the only two to take 10 wickets. Sam Curran will also be on Test Match duty.
It looks like a very tough game and one that Sussex need to win, but funnier things have happened. Sussex are also undefeated this season in the T20 competition away from home. Another away win? We will see.
When you look at Surrey’s performances, it is almost surprising that they are as low as fifth. They have consistently scored plenty of runs in this year’s T20 Blast. Their three defeats have happened when Glamorgan scored impressively, Kent beat them narrowly and a rare (relatively) off day against Middlesex with the bat. However, allowing for foreshortened games and winning games before they have been batting for 20 overs, they have been on course for 200+ in nearly every game, which included a rained off game against Kent when they scored 250.
At Hove in mid-July, Surrey won comfortably by 52 runs, although few of those attending will forget how Finch scored a highly impressive 131 not out from Surrey’s 192 runs having been dropped on 1. Sussex made a poor reply of 140 all out despite a valiant effort from Phil Salt who scored 74.
For Surrey, Aaron Finch has an amazing record in the T20 Blast. He is averaging 119 at a strike rate of 191. They have six other batsmen averaging over 30, two of which have strike rates of 200 or just below – Rikki Clarke and Jason Roy. However, Ollie Pope will be on Test Match duty and will miss the game. The bowling is less impressive with Rikki Clarke and Matthew Pillans the only two to take 10 wickets. Sam Curran will also be on Test Match duty.
It looks like a very tough game and one that Sussex need to win, but funnier things have happened. Sussex are also undefeated this season in the T20 competition away from home. Another away win? We will see.
