Vitality Blast T20 Surrey beat Middlesex to extend an unbeaten start thanks to Jason Roy
South Group table-toppers Surrey registered their sixth win in this season's Blast by defeating rivals Middlesex at Lords by 20 runs. Jason Roy and Chris Jordan displayed a dominating character with bat and ball to seal spoils for Surrey in the London Derby
Jason Roy with back-to-back fifties for SurreyRoy: back to beast mode
Batting first, Jason Roy built a 55-run partnership with Will Jacks, of which 46 came from Roy's bat. His inning began with a volley of six fours and two sixes in the space of his first 17 playing a solid start. As Jason Behrendroff and Toby Roland-Jones took Will Jacks (9) and Sam Curran (0), Jason Roy built 46-runs in partnership with Laurie Evans. Jason Roy scored 81, whereas Evans made 22 off 12 before being dismissed by Martin Andersson. A 27-run cameo of 12 balls in the end by Jamie Overton took the total to 208 at a loss of 7 wickets.
Jordan's magical spell of 4-0-31-4
In response to the mammoth total posted, Stephen Eskinazi and Max Holden gave a blistering start, making 76/0 by the end of the powerplay. But both lost their wickets in 6 balls, shifting momentum back to the visitors. Chris Jordan and Sunil Narine walked down the middle-order as they bamboozled Joe Cracknell (5), John Simpson (13), Luke Hollman (21), and Martin Andersson (0) in quick succession, making their strong going chase fumble. Chris Green's blistering knock of unbeaten 46 off 29 looked to gain back the momentum but fell short of the chance coming down the order. The team could chase 188 in 20 overs, losing eight wickets owing to Chris Jordan's stunning figure of 4-0-31-4.
With Stephen Eskinazi's powerful display of performance in powerplay while chasing, Surrey made a terrific comeback to win it by 20-runs. Presenting such a strong sense of performance in this season, the team has restored faith that this could be their year, 20 years on from their maiden title in Twenty 20 Cup's inaugural edition. Surrey has their next fixture with Somerset, whereas Middlesex will lock horns with Essex on 10th June 2022.