Surrey Women v Lancashire Thunder, Vitality Blast

By ECB Reporters’ Network supported by Rothesay

Bryony Smith returned to form in style as reigning Champions Surrey eased to a six-wicket win in their Vitality Blast opener against Lancashire Thunder at the Kia Oval.

Smith, who has struggled for runs in the One-Day Cup, smote three sixes and 10 fours in a swashbuckling 71 from 35 balls and Alice Davidson-Richards provided great support with an unbeaten 47 as the hosts chased down a target of 186 with seven  balls to spare.

Earlier, Eve Jones was the mainstay of Lancashire’s 185-7 with 56 from 31 while former Australian skipper Meg Lanning made 40 from 22 on debut.

Ryana MacDonald-Gay despite going wicketless on her return from a serious back injury was the pick of the host’s attack with 0-23.

Head Coach Chris Read said: "It was a great start with Darcey's first time at the top of the order. We may have just taken our foot off the gas a little bit through the middle and that stopped us getting 200 which I thought would have been a competitive total.

"I thought MacDonald-Gay in particular bowled well for them and Surrey fielded exceptionally well and their couple of direct hits didn't help us.

"The Oval is renowned for being a fantastic (batting) pitch with a fast outfield as well. I thought we were in the ballpark (at halfway).

"Surrey won it last year and are a fantastic team as they proved today. They take the game on which is exactly how T20 cricket should be played. The disappointing thing for me was the way we fielded. I thought it was the difference between the teams."