SUSSEX V SURREY at Hove (Royal One-Day London Cup)
14 AUGUST 2022

One senses this is a game Surrey must win if they're to qualify for the Royal London's knockout phase at the end of the month. For Sussex, it's an opportunity to bin Friday's four-run defeat to Warwickshire and move on.

The Oval outfit never looked like getting anything last time out at Radlett, where Stevie Eskinazi laid the foundations for Middlesex's 102-run success with a remarkable knock of 182 off 136 balls (the second highest individual score ever against Surrey in List A cricket).

Conor McKerr (3-38) and slow left-armer Yousef Majid (2-51) bowled creditably and Ryan Patel (118) responded to Eskinazi's fireworks with a century of his own. However, by the time debutant Nathan Barnwell contributed an entertaining 31, the writing was on the wall.

Sussex's trump card with the bat has been India's Cheteshwar Pujara, who, in addition to making 193 Royal London runs at an average of 64.33, has taken the captain's armband. In four outings, five others have hit half-centuries, including Ali Orr (41.25) and Tom Alsop (39.00).

With the ball, Ari Karvelas - a Greek international, who plies his trade for Central Gauteng in South Africa - has really caught the eye in the last fortnight, taking nine wickets in the Royal London at 14.22 runs apiece. Left-arm seamer Brad Currie and slow left-armer Delray Rawlins have also chipped in to great effect.

Surrey v Sussex - List A Records Sheet

Sheridon Gumbs and Tim Lloyd, both of whom were registered by Surrey just a couple of days ago, could be on the brink of making their county debuts.

There's now a real sense the South Londoners are down to the bare bones due to Test calls, The Hundred, Rory Burns "recharging", Cameron Steel following concussion protocols (after taking a blow on the head and retiring hurt at Radlett) and the decision not to engage any overseas players for the Royal London. Two 18-year-olds have therefore been added to the squad - Sheridon Gumbs and Tim Lloyd.

With Surrey conceding 350+ for only the seventh occasion in List A cricket a few days ago (and only the second time since 2010), one doesn't need to look far to see what needs remedying. However, it's hard to envisage the visitors' inexperienced attack bouncing back against a decent batting line-up. P.S. Surrey haven't won a List A game at Hove since 2008.

H.Ward, A.Orr, T.Clark, C.Pujara (capt), T.Alsop (wk), D.Rawlins, D.Ibrahim, A.Karvelas, A.Lenham, H.Crocombe and B.Currie.

Rob Bailey and Ben Peverall.

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