September 4, 2024

Dom Sibley and Sam Curran Lead Surrey to Finals Day, Eliminating Durham

Surrey Advances to Vitality Blast Final with Five-Wicket Win Over Durham

Dominic Sibley and Sam Curran led a substantial recovery for Surrey, guiding them to a five-wicket victory over Durham in the Vitality Blast semi-final at the Kia Oval. Sibley scored 67 off 48 balls, including two sixes and six fours, while Curran added 52 from 34 balls, hitting four sixes. Their partnership of 95 runs in just 63 balls helped Surrey chase down Durham’s target of 163 with 12 balls to spare.

Durham’s fightback, led by Michael Jones with 37, Bas De Leede with 24 off 15, and a quick 23 off 8 from Ben Raine, helped them post 162 for 8. Despite this, Surrey’s bowlers Dan Worrall (2 for 14) and Reece Topley (2 for 20) had already put Durham in trouble with their effective bowling during the powerplay.

Surrey’s Early Bowling Dominance and Late Resistance Secure Vitality Blast Final Spot

Surrey’s bowlers, Dan Worrall and Reece Topley, set the tone early in the match. Worrall dismissed Durham’s top scorer, Graham Clark, with a catch to Jordan at extra cover. Ollie Robinson struggled against Topley, who eventually bowled him out. Worrall then clean-bowled Alex Lees with a yorker, and despite Brydon Carse hitting a six, he was soon out, caught by wicketkeeper Burns off Topley’s bowling.

Colin Ackerman was run out by a direct hit from Sam Curran, and Ashton Turner’s brief innings of 26 from 21 balls ended when Sibley caught him at deep square leg. By the 13th over, Durham was in trouble at 69 for 6.

However, Michael Jones fought back with a powerful knock, hitting Jordan for a six, and Bas De Leede added valuable runs, forming a 50-run partnership in 30 balls before being bowled out by Sam Curran. Jones continued his aggressive play, and Ben Raine hit a quick 23 from 8 balls, including two sixes, helping Durham reach 162.

Despite a solid fielding effort from Durham, including two wickets by Carse, Surrey’s Rory Burns and Dominic Sibley steadied the innings. Sibley, known for his steady play, surprised with four boundaries during the powerplay, helping Surrey advance to the Vitality Blast final.

When spin bowler Callum Parkinson was introduced, he dismissed Rory Burns, who was caught in the deep. Sam Curran joined Dominic Sibley at the crease, but the scoring slowed with 30 balls passing without a boundary. Curran broke the dry spell with a massive six off Nathan Sowter, and Parkinson also faced a big hit.

De Leede missed a chance to dismiss Curran when he dropped a tough chance off his own bowling while Curran was on 31. This missed opportunity allowed Surrey to take control. Sibley reached his half-century with a spectacular six over mid-on. Curran then smashed a delivery from Sowter out of The Oval.

With just 15 runs needed, Sibley was out. Although Curran departed before the end, Surrey comfortably chased down the target to secure the win.

Ajay Ratra Joins Agarkar’s Selection Panel

Ajay Ratra, the former India wicketkeeper, has been appointed the fifth selector on the Ajit Agarkar-led India men’s selection committee. Ratra, one of four candidates interviewed by the BCCI’s cricket advisory committee, takes over from Salil Ankola, a former India fast bowler.

Ratra’s appointment concludes a process that started in January when the BCCI sought applications for the position. His first task will be the upcoming Duleep Trophy.

The need for a new selector arose after Ajit Agarkar became the chairman, disrupting the traditional zonal representation on the committee. The north zone position had been vacant since Chetan Sharma resigned in February 2023 following a TV sting operation. Although Ankola, the former chief selector for Mumbai, was initially expected to stay, Ratra’s appointment fills the north zone spot as the BCCI had yet to detail the change.

Ajay Ratra, who had a brief international career with six Tests and 12 ODIs in 2002, brings extensive coaching experience to his new role. He has been a head coach for Assam, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. He was recently part of VVS Laxman’s interim coaching team for the ODI series in South Africa after the 50-over World Cup. Additionally, Ratra has contributed to coaching programs for senior and junior women’s teams and was an assistant coach for the Delhi Capitals under Ricky Ponting in 2021.

Ratra is notably remembered for his unbeaten 115 against the West Indies in 2002, making him the youngest wicketkeeper to score a Test century. He was also part of the Under-19 team that won the World Cup in Sri Lanka. Over his first-class career, Ratra accumulated 4,029 runs in 99 matches, including eight centuries and 17 half-centuries.