Surrey CCC: Ryan Patel produces blistering batting display in Royal London One-Day Cup victory over Notts
Ryan Patel was the star of another satisfying Surrey performance in the Royal London One-Day Cup, this time against Notts at Guildford on Tuesday – the 33-run victory putting the Oval outfit top of Group 1 on net run rate.
The match was reduced to 30 overs a side following a deluge. When the players re-emerged Patel threw the bat at everything to record the fastest one-day hundred for Surrey since 2007.
Patel made a career best 131 off 70 balls and shared in a second wicket stand of 151 in 16 overs with Mark Stoneman (43). But the icing on the cake was Jamie Smith’s 54 off 19 balls, which helped lift Surrey to 311-8 – the fourth highest one-day total ever recorded at Woodbridge Road.
Faced with a revised Duckworth-Lewis target of 300, Notts got off to an equally positive start. But when Ben Slater (69) departed to the bowling of Conor McKerr – who bagged List A career best figures of 3-41 – Nottinghamshire’s hopes went with him.
“It was great fun,” said Patel. “I’m still a bit shocked myself, because it’s almost come out of nowhere. But it was a good wicket and me and Rocky [Mark Stoneman] put on a brilliant partnership.
“That allowed lads like Jamie [Smith] to get fifty off 16 balls. Me and Rocky set it up pretty well actually, but on a personal note it’s something to remember for sure.
“We went back out there looking to be positive. We tried to run hard and hit the bad balls. We decided that Rocky was going to bat all the way through and I was going to go early and chance my arm a little bit. Thankfully, it came off.
“It’s nice to be batting at the top of the order and having some time to bat, but, definitely, from a personal point of view to see myself being able to do it – instead of doing it in the nets – seeing balls go for six, it’s a nice feeling.
“We were outstanding in the field. Notts probably had the better Powerplay – six overs and 70 runs or so – but the boys stuck at it incredibly on a small ground with the ball flying everywhere.
“Everyone had their plans and we got a very good win in the end. We’ve got Northants on Friday at the Oval and it’s nice to be carrying some momentum into that match and keep winning. Winning is the best formula and we are in great spirits.”
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD
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