VITALITY T20 BLAST 2022 - SOUTH GROUP PREVIEW by Marcus Hook

The domestic T20 enters its 20th season, starting with a repeat of last year's final, at Canterbury - where the defending Vitality Blast champions Kent will play host to Somerset.

The fast-moving pace of Twenty20 cricket calls for supreme confidence while, at the same time, keeping a clear head. In no other form of the game is the line between playing without fear and out-and-out recklessness so fine.

Much is made of match-ups - where teams will aim to keep a specific bowler up their sleeve for when a targeted batter enters the fray - not to mention the usual metrics such as strike rates for batters and bowlers' economy rates.

But in the heat of the battle there's no substitute for taking top order wickets. Nothing causes more panic in the opponents' dugout than early inroads during the powerplay. Similarly, the sides who look to weigh things up for an over or two with the bat - believe it or not, there's time - before pushing the button tend to be more successful.

Surrey were the first team to embrace T20 cricket - winning the inaugural domestic T20, in 2003, and reaching each of the first four finals days. Since then, however, their record has been bewildering given the resources at their disposal - failing to get out of their group in 11 of the last 15 summers.

Even more galling for the Oval outfit than narrowly missing out on qualification for the Blast's knockout phase last year, was seeing all four of their fellow South Group representatives prosper in the quarter-finals.

Kent, the only team to overwhelm the South Londoners home and away, were crowned champions after beating Somerset by 25 runs in the final, though not before disposing of this summer's 7-1 joint favourites Sussex in the semis.

Surrey look strong again this year, perhaps stronger than for quite some time. Indeed, their 9-1 odds for the title don't do them justice.

England's Chris Jordan has returned from Sussex as T20 captain, plus the white-ball specialists Laurie Evans, Dan Moriarty and Jason Roy are primed and ready to make their first appearances of the season.

With the acquisition of the former West Indies' skipper Kieron Pollard and fellow Trinidadian, off-spinner Sunil Narine, the South Londoners really will have all bases covered.

If there is a concern, it's the extent to which the back injuries Sam and Tom Curran suffered last winter will dictate their involvement with the ball.

Last summer, Surrey opened their T20 campaign with a hat-trick of victories before England's T20 and ODI series against Sri Lanka snatched the Currans away.

This year's Vitality Blast group phase coincides with England's Test series with New Zealand and the final Test of last summer's series with India, which has been carried over to the start of July.

Larger on the selectors' radar at the moment is Jamie Overton, who has built a strong case for an international debut in the the opening weeks of the 2022 campaign.

Overton can deliverer with bat and ball, as can Surrey's T20 lynch pin in 2021, Will Jacks, who will be an even cannier spin operator for taking a first-class career best 4-65 against Kent at Beckenham.

Jacks hit more sixes than any other Surrey batter in last summer's Blast en route to 393 runs at an average of 35.72. Jacks' strike rate of 170.12 runs per 100 balls was only bettered in the South Group by Somerset's Tom Banton (176.08).

ESSEX

Other than winning the title in 2019, Essex have made little impression on the Blast in recent years. The availability of England's Dan Lawrence (who averaged 42 with the bat last year) will be key. The bowling - led by Sam Cook and off-spinner Simon Harmer - looks potent, though.

Surrey clash: 24 June (Fri) at Chelmsford
Last ten T20s v Surrey: Surrey 5 wins, Essex 4 wins, plus 1 tied
Odds: 16-1
Overseas player(s): Simon Harmer (South Africa) and Daniel Sams (Australia)
Best finish: Winners (2019).

GLAMORGAN

The Welshmen have not progressed to the knockout phase since reaching the semis in 2017, but Australia's Marnus Labuschagne (390 runs at 55.71 in 2021) is back for more. The issue is the bowling.

Surrey clashes: 27 May (Fri) at the Oval and 5 June (Sun) at Cardiff
Last ten T20s v Surrey: 5 wins apiece, but Surrey have won 4 out of the last five
Odds: 33-1
Overseas player(s): Colin Ingram (South Africa) and Marnus Labuschagne (Australia)
Best finish: Semi-finals (2004 and 2017).

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Gloucestershire are overdue, having reached the quarter-finals three times and the semi-finals once (in 2020) in the last six years. Glenn Phillips, who made 500 runs at an average of 50.55 in last year's Blast, and Ian Cockbain head the batting.

Surrey clashes: 31 May (Tue) at the Oval
Last ten T20s v Surrey: Surrey have won 6, Glos 4
Odds: 16-1
Overseas player(s): Marcus Harris (Australia) and Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)
Best finish: Runners-up (2007).

HAMPSHIRE

Last season's semi-finalists have a proud record in the domestic T20, having lifted the trophy twice and only failing to reach finals day 4 times in the last 12 seasons. Hampshire will be hoping for greater consistency from James Vince, who made just 2 scores of 40 or more last term.

Surrey clashes: 2 June (Thu) at the Oval and 19 June (Sun) at the Ageas Bowl
Last ten T20s v Surrey: The South Londoners have won 7, including each of the last 5
Odds: 12-1
Overseas player(s): Nathan Ellis (Australia) and Ben McDermott (Australia)
Best finish: Winners (2010 and 2012).

KENT

The defending champions. Only two batters made more runs in last year's Vitality Blast than the Spitfires' Daniel Bell-Drummond. Jordan Cox (who averaged 52.42) is also capable of turning a game on its head. But much will hinge on the performances of leg-spinner Qais Ahmad.

Surrey clashes: 3 June (Fri) at Canterbury and 1 July (Fri) at the Oval
Last ten T20s v Surrey: Kent have triumphed in 6, Surrey 4
Odds: 10-1
Overseas player(s): Qais Ahmad (Afghanistan) and George Linde (South Africa)
Best finish: Winners (2007 and 2021).

MIDDLESEX

Their record of just two quarter-final appearances since winning the T20 in 2008 underlines the North Londoners' tag as one of the outsiders. But if Stevie Eskinazi (who scored 399 runs at 44.33 in 2021) can carry last season's form into this, who knows?

Surrey clashes: 9 June (Thu) at Lord's and 17 June (Fri) at the Oval
Last ten T20s v Surrey: Surrey won 6, including the last 4
Odds: 16-1
Overseas player(s): Jason Behrendorff (Australia) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afghanistan)
Best finish: Winners (2008).

SOMERSET

Last summer's runners-up are expected to pack a punch again, with youngsters Tom Banton and Will Smeed setting the tone at the top of the batting order. All-rounders Josh Davey, Lewis Gregory and van der Merwe will be key.

Surrey clashes: 21 June (Tue) at the Oval and 3 July (Sun) at Taunton
Last ten T20s v Surrey: 5 wins apiece
Odds: 8-1
Overseas player(s): Rilee Rossouw (South Africa) and Peter Siddle (Australia)
Best finish: Winners (2005).

SUSSEX

Runners-up in 2018, quarter-finalists in 2019 and 2020, plus semi-finalists last summer. Steve Finn has moved down from Middlesex to replace Chris Jordan, but the departure of opener Phil Salt to Lancashire leaves the Sharks looking weaker.

Surrey clashes: 8 June (Wed) at the Oval and 23 June (Thu) at Hove
Last ten T20s v Surrey: The Oval outfit have won 7, Sussex 2, with the other being tied
Odds: 7-1
Overseas player(s): Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) and Josh Philippe (Australia)
Best finish: Winners (2009).

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