Cricket: Surrey heartbreak as T20 campaign ends after quarter-final defeat to Yorkshire

Surrey suffered heartbreak on Wednesday night as Yorkshire pipped the South Londoners to a place at T20 finals day by a solitary run in the first of this week’s Vitality Blast quarter-finals.

The oscillating contest at The Kia Oval came down to the hosts needing five to win off the last over. But with the departure of Jamie Overton, run out for 40, and Sunil Narine falling to a brilliant catch in the deep first ball, Surrey were pegged to just three.

Will Jacks admitted his side ultimately lacked the wherewithal to get over the line.

“Five runs off six deliveries, more often than not you’re going to win that game chasing,” said Jacks, who was skippering Surrey for the first time in the absence of Chris Jordan, who was one of eight key players – four on each side – missing due to the timing of England’s white-ball series with India.

“Jordan Thompson bowled a great over for them. But we’re gutted with that.

“We won 10 of our first 11 group games and 95 per cent of the time we were very good. It’s just that little five per cent that wins or loses you games.

“We chased 190 on that wicket five or six days ago. We knew it was a good pitch and we bowled well, so we couldn’t really complain – 160 was a good score to chase.”

Yorkshire’s captain David Willey, who was made available by the England management, was integral for the visitors – first with the bat and then with the ball, capturing the crucial wicket of Jacks, for one, as well as Tom Curran, for 36.

But Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who made 62 and along with Willey (30) got Yorkshire back in the game after losing two early wickets, picked up the man of the match award.

Kohler-Cadmore’s running-out of Jamie Overton was decisive. When Overton joined Laurie Evans in the middle, with 70 needed off 37 balls, the hosts were facing an uphill climb.

Overton smashed four massive sixes and Evans hit 35 as the match swung back Surrey’s way.

“Jamie played a brilliant innings,” said Jacks. “When he first came in we were behind the game, and then, with one over left, we were ahead of the game.”

Failing to reach finals day after taking the South Group by storm must come as a hammer blow for Surrey. They were transformed as a T20 side after signing Sunil Narine as overseas spinner and welcoming fast bowler Jordan back from Sussex.

Along with Gus Atkinson, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton and Reece Topley the South Londoners did not want for bowling options. But when England calls started to bite, cracks in their amoury began to appear.

Like Yorkshire, who, in the end, spoiled Surrey’s party, the South Londoners went into the quarter-finals having lost three out of their last five group games.

Jacks led the way with the bat, scoring 449 runs in the competition, and there were numerous contributions from a quick-scoring lower order – in particular from Overton, whose strike rate of 186.20 runs per 100 balls is right up there with the best.

Crowds flocked to the Oval to savour Surrey’s exciting brand of cricket but, again, for a side that has now reached just three T20 finals days in 16 summers, it was not to be.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD