Both Surrey sides head down the M3 to face Hampshire Hawks in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Tuesday.
Bryony Smith’s side – who currently sit top of the Vitality Blast group, kick off the day at 3:00pm, before Sam Curran’s side will look to avenge last week’s defeat at 7:00pm.
Both matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket. Surrey’s social media channels will provide regular updates from both matches from Hampshire. A written match report will be posted at the end of play.
Highlights and clips will be published the following morning due to broadcast regulations.
Both Surrey sides are back in action at the Kia Oval the following day for our Pride T20. Bryony Smith’s side will take to the field against Lancashire Thunder at 2:00pm, before the men face Sussex Sharks at 6:30pm. It’s set to be a scorcher at the Kia Oval. Buy your tickets on the link below.
SURREY SQUADS
Reece Topley returns to the squad for this fixture.
HAMPSHIRE HAWKS
Previewed by Alex Smith, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay
Captain: Georgia Adams
Overseas players: Charli Knott (Australia, full competition), Ellyse Perry (Australia, last six matches + Finals Day if Hawks qualify)
Key winter moves: The Vipers to Hawks transition saw more outgoings than incomings – with the likes of Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Georgia Elwiss, Emily Windsor, Alice Monaghan and Charlie Dean all departing. With younger players given more chances and responsibility. But one new face looms large – the Australian great Ellyse Perry.
The big question: Will Ellyse Perry get Hawks over the line when she arrives? There is huge excitement about Perry’s signing but her introduction at Chesterfield on July 4, with six matches to go, may well be perfectly timed to get them to Finals Day, but equally Hampshire could be only playing for pride.
Wildcard watch: Mary Taylor. The fast bowler missed the start of the season with a finger injury but her return in the Vitality County Cup saw her take a four for 26 in an innings none of her team-mates went at under 10s and Surrey smashed 237. A bustling and uber-accurate presence with the ball, Taylor is also more than capable of bunting late-innings runs.
Final thought: The likes of Ella McCaughan, Rhianna Southby, and Bex Tyson massively stepped up in the first Metro Bank One-Day Cup block to fill the experience void, and send Hampshire top of the 50-over table. A replication of that, and Maia Bouchier shaking off her Ashes disappointments, put Hawks in a good position to continue the proud record of women’s cricket at Utilita Bowl. Paul Prichard and co. have seamlessly made sure there has been no disruption since Charlotte Edwards’ exit.
HAMPSHIRE HAWKS
Previewed by Alex Smith, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay
Captain: James Vince
Overseas players: Lhuan-dre Pretorius (South Africa, 10 matches from June 13), Dewald Brevis (South Africa, full competition)
Finals Day appearances: 10 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Titles: Three (2010, 2012, 2022)
2024 finish: Seventh (South Group)
2024 leading runscorer: Joe Weatherley (324)
2024 leading wicket taker: John Turner (15)
Key winter moves: The Hawks have completely refreshed their overseas contingent with two of the most exciting young players in the world. Lhuan-dre Pretorius was the top run-scorer in the SA20 over the winter and wunderkind Dewald Brevis. Fast bowler Sonny Baker is also added from last year’s Blast.
The big question: Can James Vince feel at home again? The Hawks skipper is only playing in the Blast for Hampshire this year after moving to Dubai over the winter.
Wildcard watch: Dewald Brevis. Has been mentored by South African great AB de Villiers and it shows. He burst onto the scene by breaking the most runs at the 2022 U19 World Cup. He ended that year by smashing 162 in 57 balls – the joint third highest T20 score of all-time. More recently, he won the SA20 with MI Cape Town with the competition’s highest strike-rate. Also bowls very useful leg-spin.
Final thought: Having won the Blast in 2022, before reaching Finals Day the following year, 2024 was underwhelming, filled with a series of overseas not arriving and general under performance. The new Proteas contingent provides an exciting new headline but the core squad, that knows the unique challenges of the expansive Utilita Bowl, is still there.
