Lancashire v Surrey, Metro Bank One-Day Cup

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Surrey got their Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign off to a magnificent start when they beat a relatively experienced Lancashire side by seven wickets in the incomparable, fell-ringed surroundings of Sedbergh School.

Having restricted Lancashire to 280-5 on a good wicket in a match played on a quick-scoring ground, Surrey mounted a determined pursuit of their target.

Dominic Sibley and Ryan Patel both made fifties but the game was decided by Adam Thomas and Josh Blake’s unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 126 in less than 13 overs. Thomas made 82 not out and Blake, who ended the match with a six off Balderson, finished undefeated on 59 as Surrey won with 14 balls to spare.

George Balderson said:
“I think it was a nice toss to win.

“It felt like the feedback we were getting from our batters early doors was that it was hard work, it was seaming and bouncing, and whether we just didn't bowl as well as they did early doors or whether the pitch got a little better, I'm not sure, but credit to their batters. They played well and we couldn't break the partnerships when we needed to.

“We thought our score was around par. Maybe actually some of the lads who were out there early doors thought we were a little bit above par, but we knew that it's a small ground and if someone gets in, they can score quite quickly.

“So, we knew we had a task on our hands and really we needed early wickets to make a dent into their experience at the top of the order.

“When we didn't get that, we fought hard, but ultimately they came through.

“We've got to try and find a way to break their partnerships earlier than we did today.

“We all know that wickets win you games in one-day cricket and we didn't manage to get them.

“We fought well and, like I say, either side of drinks, we squeezed well.

“Arav came on and bowled well, Singhy bowled well. We managed to squeeze a wicket or two, but we just didn't do it for long enough.”