Marcus Hook’s Surrey column: Worrall return key as red-ball cricket is back on the agenda

Just like Surrey’s victory away to Sussex has put their T20 Blast campaign back on track, after losing to the Sharks at the Oval and then failing to polish off Gloucestershire, the South Londoners will also be keen to prove their innings defeat to Hampshire in the County Championship a month ago was just a blip.

That’s right, on Sunday everything switches back into four-day mode, when Surrey travel to Worcester, where it’s vital they get back to winning ways in the championship ahead of the showdown with Essex, their nearest challengers, the following week.

The South Londoners have already beaten Worcestershire this season, at The Oval, when Dan Worrall returned figures of 6-22 and 4-35.

Worrall has barely featured in the T20 Blast, due to an unspecified injury, so getting him fit for the red-ball resumption is vital, especially if Surrey are down to just one overseas bowler in the shape of Sean Abbott.

Worcestershire have signed the England and Somerset spinner Shoaib Bashir on loan, so it will be interesting to see what sort of pitch gets served up.
But as New Road has spent much of the last six months under water, it should still suit their seamers. I’m surprised Adam Finch hasn’t kicked on more for the Pears since his loan spell Surrey in 2020, which saw him take eight wickets at 26.87.

With the bat, Kashif Ali and Jake Libby were in great shape prior to the Blast, but both could be a little rusty having not played any competitive cricket since the start of the T20.

Meanwhile, Surrey batter Sophia Dunkley has been named in England’s squad for their upcoming ODI series with New Zealand.

Dunkley has been in imperious form for the Stars this season, scoring 194 runs in six Charlotte Edwards matches and 293 runs in the 50-over Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy.

England captain Heather Knight said: “We picked a slightly smaller ODI squad last time to allow players like Sophia to go and play a bit more domestic cricket, and she’s gone back and performed really well.

“She’s been in really good form for the Stars and it’s exciting to have her back because it gives us so many options at the top of the order.

“Sophia has done exactly what we asked her to do and it’s going to be a good series -– three ODIs and the five T20s leading into the World Cup in October.”