Surrey still learning T20 lessons despite smooth passage into quarter-finals
Despite topping the South Group in the T20 Blast and securing a favourable home quarter-final tie – against Durham on September 3 – Surrey’s Chris Jordan admitted there were lessons his side must take from the 86-run defeat to Kent at Canterbury in the concluding round of group matches.
“It was obviously not a good night for us, but full credit to Kent,” said Jordan. “We won the toss and bowled first because we felt it was a very good wicket, but they took advantage in the powerplay and got off to flier.
“We kind of dragged it back, but they finished off the innings well to make 217, which meant everything had to go right in our innings. They fielded well, they bowled well and they deserved the win.”
The 35-year-old seamer added: “There’s a couple of ways we could have gone about it, but you could probably put it down to scoreboard pressure.
“I thought we started really well in the powerplay, going at tens an over, but then everybody got out.
“When they took a shot on they probably middled it a bit more than us and got it over the boundary and every time we took a shot we kind of toed it and it went to hand. Sometimes it happens like that.
“We’re definitely looking forward to the quarter-finals. We’ll debrief after this loss, but it doesn’t take the shine off what’s been a brilliant T20 campaign so far.”
Twenty four hours earlier, Sam Curran smashed a T20 career-best 102 not out, off just 58 balls, to sink Hampshire at the Oval.
Set 184 to win, the hosts were in a spot of bother when Curran junior took guard at 27-3.
“It was a new-ball wicket,” said Sam. “We saw Hampshire lose a few wickets there too. Most importantly I knew I had to give myself a chance, batting with one of my best mates Dominic Sibley.
“We consolidated and I knew, if you get yourself in, the ball travels really nicely here. It was a really good pitch and it was great to see Sibbers playing in the T20 stuff and doing really well. Then Jamie Overton came in and hit some nice balls, which took the pressure off me.”
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