Surrey reaches Vitality T20 Blast 2024 Finals
Surrey secured their spot in the Vitality T20 Blast 2024 finals with a five-wicket win over Durham at the Kia Oval. This has been done due to a crucial partnership between Dominic Sibley and Sam Curran.
Chasing 163, Sibley and Curran put on a partnership of 95 runs in just 63 balls. Sibley, the former England opener, scored 67 from 48 balls, hitting two sixes and six fours. Curran, who had already made a century earlier in the tournament, added 52 from 34 balls, smashing four sixes. Their efforts helped Surrey reach the target with 12 balls to spare.
Durham fought hard to set a challenging target after being in trouble at 69 for 6. Michael Jones top-scored with 37, supported by Bas De Leede, who made 24 from 15 balls, and Ben Raine, who played a quick-fire cameo of 23 from just 8 balls. Their contributions lifted Durham to a total of 162 for 8. Dan Worrall and Reece Topley were the standout bowlers for Surrey, with Worrall taking 2 for 14 and Topley 2 for 20, both causing havoc in the early overs.
Worrall struck early by dismissing Durham’s top scorer, Graham Clark, and Alex Lees, while Topley bowled Ollie Robinson after he struggled to connect with the ball. Brydon Carse hit his first ball for a six but was soon caught behind off Topley. Sam Curran added to Durham’s troubles with a brilliant direct hit to run out Colin Ackerman. When Ashton Turner, who tried to counterattack with 26 off 21 balls, was caught by Sibley, Durham was reeling at 69 for 6.
Jones fought back for Durham, hitting a six off Chris Jordan and raising a 50-run partnership with De Leede before Curran bowled De Leede. Jones continued to swing, and Raine added two sixes in the final over to push Durham’s score to 162.
Durham started well in the field, with Carse quickly removing Will Jacks and Laurie Evans. Rory Burns and Sibley, who had previously opened together for England, were tasked with stabilizing Surrey’s innings. Sibley, often known for his steady approach, showed intent by hitting four boundaries in the powerplay.
Spin was introduced when Callum Parkinson came on to bowl, and Burns was caught out, leaving Surrey at a crucial juncture. Curran then joined Sibley, and the two pushed the run rate, though 30 balls passed without a boundary. Curran broke the dry spell with a massive six off Nathan Sowter, followed by another off Parkinson. De Leede had a chance to dismiss Curran on 31, but a tough caught-and-bowled opportunity was missed, allowing Surrey to take control.
Sibley reached his fifty with a splendid six, and Curran almost hit one out of The Oval off Sowter. Although both Sibley and Curran were dismissed before the end, Surrey comfortably reached the target, securing their victory and a place in the finals of Vitality T20 Blast 2024.
