Surrey v Middlesex T20

The weather in London this morning had me cursing as I saw Surrey's hopes of qualifying wash down Brixton Hill with the rest of the rain, but whisper it quietly... The sun has been shining for a couple of hours now and with hard work from the groundsmen hopefully a game is on. With Kent and Somerset both winning since our last game and looking at our remaining fixtures tonight is a must win to have a chance of making the quarters.

Arafat is back and I expect him to play, to be honest I think Schofield will keep his place but I hope this is not at the expense of Batty or Ansari, if he has to play lets go with three spinners. For me Tremlett, Linley and Spriegal to miss out


Rory Hamilton-Brown (Captain)
Steven Davies (Wicket Keeper)
Jason Roy
Tom Maynard
Zander De Bruyn
Zafar Ansari
Matthew Spriegel
Yasir Arafat
Chris Schofield
Gareth Batty
Stuart Meaker
Dirk Nannes
Tim Linley
Chris Tremlett

I agree with you, however I expect that Adams will want to make use of Yremlett whilst he's around an one of the other bowlers will miss out.

Should be an easy win for you guys, saying that we lost to Middlesex this season in the t20... And surely Ansari has to play for you?

surrey win toss and will bat

Greetings Depressed and all,

Heavy rain here this morning made me too fear we were going to lose a point to the weather. However, much better now. Hopefully, the game can start on time and be played uninterrupted.

I agree with you about Sprigel and the Viscount missing out again. I understand why you suggest Tremlett joining them on the bench but think his pedigree and status will get him the nod (not saying that's right but it's what I see happening).

I reckon Schofield or Batty will also miss out. It will be hard to leave out your best mate Schoey after his heroics on Monday night so probably a night off for Batty.

We'll see soon ....

Wrong again!

Team just announced - no recall for Arafat, Batty retains his place in a team unchanged from Monday night.

Just seen the team and will once again say it looks a batsman light and far to many bowlers.

not happy that arafat does not start sure he can be expensive but he can make uo for that with his batting.none of the other pace bowlers can and as we all know we are still a batsmen short.

Roy trying to hit the ball too hard at the moment, doesn't look comfortable at all so far.

He's still there though, Carrot, and while he is I'm confident ....

92 - 1 as Roy goes in the tenth. Ultimately a good knock from him and a good start ....

Yep, well done Roy, he hung in there and played some great shots. He really is a great talent and with every game he will be learning and gaining experience. Need to kick on and make the big score we should get from here.

Middlesex look very poor. Can I say that?

Davies 50 and out. Still need Maynard to do the business if we're to reach our potential in this innings.

Davies gone. Caught behind and stumped!

With the form he's found it takes two modes of dismissal to get him out!

Hard to critisise too much but he didn't really need to play that shot, just got a four and hadn't been down the pitch before, plus a new batsman at the other end. Very well played again though.

Hyphen gone when he went for a wander, won't want to let this turn into a below par total now, 5 1/2 overs left, I'd send Ansari in....

180 looking likely, though hopefully we can get a bit above.

Only 5 from the 16th over, need some more big shots in the next few.

182 - 3 off our 20.

Perhaps I was just being greedy but I was hoping for 215 at the halfway stage. Anyway, it should still be more than sufficient.

Find it strange that Middlesex looked so enthusiastic and on top of their game in the CC only a few ago and now look so dire in this tournament.

182-3 at the end. Brain and Maynard did OK but never really got going. Middlesex bowling improved at the end and with fielders out boundaries are difficult with the big outfield. Should be enough but we will need to avoid a bad bowling performance that we are capable of!

guildford - I think it should be expected that in the powerplays the rr is higher, which it was. I would say 10 an over at the start and ending at 9 an over is about the norm so I'm happy. If Davies stayed in the whole 20 I'd expect more but otherwise it's what I wanted after the first 10.

''A great player for the future'' - Steven Finn on Jason Roy.

He's not bad in the present ....

I thought Steve Finn bowled extremely well at the end restricting us.

Steve Finn has just said 180 is par score and backs Middlesex to get the runs. Not sure about that myself I would have taken 183 before the start

Chat box on for the cricket lads

Very good last over from Finn, but I'd still back us to defend that

Carrot - I think your comments as to run rate etc are very fair. As an old timer, I tend to automatically think that more runs should be scored in the second half of the innings than the first (in the old days - no powerplays and little by way of fielding restrictions).

Would of course have been interesting and even better for us if Davies hadn't got out when he did. I thought he was going to go one better than at Whitgift ....

He certainly looked in fantastic form, that's why I was slightly disappointed with his dismissal as he had been going at a SR of 200 without much risk up until that point. For me he's technically a better batsman that Kieswetter.

Depressed - Steven Finn bowled well and talked a good game during the interval. However, too many of his team mates looked uninterested and seemed to have already given up the ghost. We're well on top whatever Finn claims.

Meanwhile a great catch by Meaker to put us further ahead. Funny old game - anyone remember that sitter he shelled at Beckenham?

Carrotdude

Agree regarding Davies/Kieswetter. For me, Kieswetter will be found out as soon as he comes up against high quality swing as he just doesn't have the technique.

Yeah, he's perfect for a flat picth at the top but otherwise his technique can be suspect. Fair play to him though he has improved since he was dropped and he has the gloves now and has done well in this series. Hopefully the selectors give him a run in the side and then bring Davies in when he loses favour!

A steady and reliable opening over from the gaffer goes for just six - despite having hardly any experience, he reads the game very well.

Second went for 12... Could do with getting Dexter out here tbh.

Schofield on to bowl... be afraid!

And 4 second ball

Schofield on....second ball for 4. Back to normal?

Meaker on, first ball for 4

PS - he's down as 'medium fast' on sky...

Meaker doesn't seem to be bowling as fast as usual

Concentrating on accuracy? Didn't really work!

Schofield....6...

Schofield....WICKET!

Evening all. Should win from here. Well bowled Tremlett.

Meaker leaking runs all over the place, keeping them in with a shout.

Not exactly rammed home the early advantage have we?

Need 52 off 4 overs...... Could do with a wicket.

(Which we have now got!)

Nannes got a wicket but this over has been awful. As I type he's got another!

42 off 3 overs needed with two new batsmen. Is it time to bring on an 8th bowler!?

34 from the last 2 needed.

Nannes strike again.... and again

20 to win off last over - Meaker!