Jame Smith gives his verdict on Surrey’s One-Day Cup campaign

Jamie Smith says that both he and Surrey’s young squad will take a great deal from this year’s Royal London One-Day Cup campaign.

Smith, who captained Surrey in the absence of Hashim Amla – who was sidelined for the last six 50-over contests due to a groin injury – said his side, which was missing 12 players due to England calls and The Hundred, can be proud of getting as far as the semi-finals.

Sadly, on Tuesday, their Royal London dream was ended by Durham’s powerful batting line-up, who reeled in the South Londoners’ 280 with 15 balls and five wickets to spare.

“I’m very proud of everyone,” said Smith. “To get to the semi-finals, obviously it was disappointing not to make it through, but Durham were the better side on balance.

“I felt we were a few runs short at the halfway stage. Rocky [Mark Stoneman] was outstanding given the pressure he must have been under coming back to Durham for the first time since leaving. But he was outstanding and he and I were lucky to put on a decent enough partnership.

“Maybe if one of us had finished it off slightly better 300 might have been on, but Durham won pretty comfortably in the end.”

Surrey were soon reduced to 40-3, having been put into bat. But then the 21-year-old Smith and former Durham opener Stoneman added 155 in 32 overs for the fourth wicket – Smith making a career best 85 and Stoneman 117.

Durham were measured in their response. With 15 overs to go, the hosts still needed another hundred runs for victory. But David Bedingham put the result beyond all doubt by smashing 56 off 35 balls.

“It’s been great, said Smith. “The [lack of] experience we had in the dressing room, with a few people who hadn’t really had the exposure at this level, it was great that everyone played their part throughout the competition.

“Tim David has been outstanding for us, but, as I say, everyone’s played their part and enjoyed it, hopefully, and there’s lots to take forward to next year.”

On being handed the reins for the last six matches, Smith added: “The experience has been invaluable. Hopefully, it’s something I can continue doing, who knows?

“But just to play in all 10 games has been fantastic for me. I had only played five List A games before that, so that exposure, that experience is something I can take forward to next year.

“There’s still a lot to learn and things we need to work on, but there’s a lot of good things to take forward. There’s still four more championship games to come as well, so hopefully we can finish the season on a high.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD