Surrey Second XI got their 2022 T20 campaign off to a winning start after running out winners by just six runs in a close encounter with South Group rivals Essex.
Essex won the toss and chose to field first in New Malden but Reiffer and Geddes provided a solid platform for Surrey on a decent looking batting wicket. After both openers fell the home side’s ‘engine room’ really got to work. Laurie Evans, in his first hit of the season smoked 45 runs from 23 balls, an exciting and encouraging innings ahead of the Vitality T20 Blast starting in just over ten days time. Evans was particularly destructive over the covers and down the ground, hitting five fours and two sixes before splicing a lofted drive off of off-spinner Hassen to Rymell in the deep.
Laurie Evans looked in red-hot form today ahead of the @VitalityBlast 🌶️🌶️🌶️
In his first game of the season he hit 45 from 23 balls in the Second XI's six-run win over Essex. pic.twitter.com/LmRFqv7kQY
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) May 16, 2022
Gus Atkinson also landed some meaty blows off the Essex attack before dying as he lived, well caught at long-on by Nijjar off the left-arm seam of Mawson, but not before he hit three fours and two sixes of his own.
Lower order hitting by Lawes and Lovell saw Surrey post a commanding total of 196/6 off their twenty overs.
In response Essex gamely stayed in the hunt, 63 from Buttleman at the top of the order, ably supported by 43 from Pepper and 37 from Rymell took them close but tight bowling from Surrey at the end saw them close the game out in the last over by six runs. Nathan Barnwell the pick of the bowlers with 4-29 including some crucial scalps as the run chase went down to the wire.
Surrey will take much heart from this performance heading into their second game against Sussex on Tuesday (tomorrow, 17 May – 14:00pm start).
Updates on the matches will be provided on Surrey CCC social media channels , a live score will be available to follow on the NV Play platform and full reports will be posted on kiaoval.com after the games have finished.
For a full list of upcoming Second XI fixtures click here.
