Curran and Foakes add quality to Surrey as Stewart negotiates Evans extension

BY MARCUS HOOK

Sam Curran and Ben Foakes – released from England’s bio-secure Test ‘bubble’ last Friday – were both quick to add some much-needed class to struggling Surrey’s line-up, against Kent at the Kia Oval.

Foakes, in his first first-class innings since last September, kept the hosts afloat at 239-7 with an unbeaten 88 off 145 balls on day two. This was in reply to Kent’s 342, in which Sam Curran took three wickets to reduce Kent to 170-6 before the hop county were allowed to wriggle off the hook.

“If we’re honest we lost a few too many wickets today on what is a good pitch for batting,” said Curran at stumps on the second day.

“We need to scrap it out and get as close to their first innings score as possible. For myself, it was good to be out there playing for Surrey again.

“When I was not selected for the Third Test it was an easy decision to get back and play here and it’s nice to be back with the lads.”

Foakes edged Darren Stevens just short of second slip early in his innings, but otherwise – watched by England selector James Taylor – he defied his lack of cricket in recent months to bat with poise and real quality as the rest of Surrey’s top order fell away.

Sam Curran said: “Foakesy played beautifully, after such a long time out of the game. I have so much respect for him. It’s been a strange and challenging summer, so to play the way he did shows just how good he is. He is a world-class batsman and hopefully he can go on and get a lot more runs tomorrow (Monday).”

Meanwhile, Surrey’s 2021 planning has seen them sign Sussex and England Lions batsman Laurie Evans on a two-year deal. Evans started his career at the Oval before departing for Warwickshire in 2010, and on to Sussex seven years later.

The official line is the 32-year-old will play against Surrey, for the Sharks, at Hove this coming Friday.

However director of cricket Alec Stewart is reported to be negotiating an extension to Evans’ current loan from Sussex. He has made 130 runs in five innings for the Oval outfit in the Bob Willis Trophy.

“I have known Laurie since his days in our age group teams and at our club, Malden Wanderers, and am well aware of his abilities and strong character,” said Stewart.

“With the number of players we already provide to the England set-up – and potentially more to come in the near future – it was important to bring an experienced batsman into our squad. Laurie knows the club inside out and will add great value to the dressing room.”