The defending champions Essex takes on Surrey in the South Group encounter of the T20 Blast 2020.
Team Preview
Essex made into the finals of Bob Wills Trophy 2020 and set a date with Somerset to retain their county title but their T20 Blast story is totally different as they are still searching for their first victory in the tournament. They have lost three matches out of five, including a tie and one washed out affair. The defending champions are on the verge of the group elimination. In the previous encounter, they failed to chase a total of 193 and suffered 3rd consecutive defeat. They had faced Surrey previously in London and the match ended in a tie. Sitting on the bottom of the table, Essex required wins in all remaining matches to qualify for the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, Surrey are in a better position. They had only lost to Kent who are sitting at the top in the table and shared 1-point each in two games, including one tie affair. They are fresh off of two consecutive wins against Hampshire and Middlesex. After captain’s 3-wickets haul for 18, they restricted Middlesex on 113 and chased down the target, riding on Foakes’ 60. Against Hampshire, rain favoured them and they chased down 78 in 11 overs. Essex might avoid a defeat in their home game as Surrey’s records in away-fixtures are not good. Amla and Doeschate's contribution to their respective sides is important to go ahead in the tournament. Surrey had played three matches at home and remained unbeaten but in only away assignment, they lost against Kent.
Pitch Report
County Ground, Chelmsford is a decent T20 ground. The surface provides good help to bowlers and batsmen require sensibility in the batting. Spinners can control runs in middle-overs and chasing would be an ideal call.
Possible XI
Surrey
Hashim Amla, Will Jacks, Laurie Evans, Ben Foakes (wk), Rory Burns, Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Gareth Batty (c), Daniel Moriarty, Reece Topley
Essex
Varun Chopra, Cameron Delport, Tom Westley, Daniel Lawrence, Ryan ten Doeschate, Adam Wheater (wk), Paul Walter, Simon Harmer (c), Shane Snater, Aron Nijjar, Matthew Quinn
Key Players
Essex
Ryan ten Doeschate
M: 5, Runs: 146, Avg: 48.67
Matthew Quinn
M: 5, Wickets: 7, Avg: 19.29
Surrey
Gareth Batty
M: 5, Wickets: 6, Avg: 15.33
Hashim Amla
M: 3, Runs: 125, Avg: 41.66
