By Huzaifa Yousafzai from Kia Oval
Surrey reached Finals Day for the second year running after they comfortably chased 162 against Durham in the first quarter final of 2024 Vitality T20 Blast.
Academy graduates Dominic Sibley and Sam Curran both scored fifties for Surrey as the home side waltzed to a 5 wicket victory at the Kia Oval with two overs still remaining.
Opening the batting in test cricket for England as recently as the summer of 2021 and with a first class strike rate of 40.47, Sibley was far from being the ideal T20 opener for Surrey.
However, as Surrey captain Chris Jordan explains, recent changes to Sibley’s batting style has allowed the former Whitgift school boy to become the star of an unlikely show.
“Sibbers (Dom Sibley) has been working really hard on his game over the last 12 months especially his power hitting which has definitely earned him a spot in this (Surrey) side.”
Despite learning new tricks, Jordan maintained that Sibley still uses his long format skills to good effect when faced with tough batting conditions at the start of an innings.
“Up front where the ball is moving around a little bit, he uses some of his four day technique to get himself into the innings and then starts rotating strike allowing guys to come in and play really freely around him. He’s nailing that (opening) role at the minute so long may it continue.”
Having scored 67 runs from 48 balls, Sibley received high praise from his captain in particular when it comes to how he approached the run chase against Durham.
“Sibbers (Dom Sibley) led us really brilliantly from the start of the second innings and has been really good all season. His tempo tonight was on point, especially in the power play when the ball was moving around, he was still able to get bat on ball and pick the gaps in the field.”
Batting at the other end and combining with Sibley for a 95 run fourth wicket partnership was the Player of the tournament in the 2024 Hundred and Surrey’s golden boy in Sam Curran.
A test match debut at 19 and player of the tournament in England’s 2022 T20 World Cup victory in Australia, Sam Curran has been a consistent figurehead for both club and country in white ball cricket.
“Sam (Curran) is a quality performer both with bat and ball. He has been a real mainstay for us in the middle order as he controls the game very well which is why we give him as many balls as possible so he can do exactly that. He mixes smart cricket with good power in his batting and in the end combined for a strong partnership between two very close friends so full credit to (Sam Curran and Sibley) for getting us over the line.”
Despite two very different cricketers joining forces to lead Surrey to victory, one constant that Jordan acknowledges is the excellent home support his side receives whenever they play at the Kia Oval.
“Job done at what I consider the home of cricket (Kia Oval). It might be debatable for some but we get really good support here so I was just glad that we could get a victory for (the fans) tonight.”
Jordan will hope the Oval faithful flock to Birmingham in large numbers on the 14th of September as Surrey aim to win on Finals Day and claim their first T20 Blast title since the competition’s inaugural year in 2003.
