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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