Surrey’s dismal run of five consecutive defeats in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup came to an end with a resounding 17-run victory over Leicestershire at the Oval. The triumph was largely due to the heroics of Dom Sibley, who notched his second century in three matches.
Sibley, who had previously scored 149 against Warwickshire and 72 versus Nottinghamshire, continued his impressive form with a masterful 105. He shared a 138-run opening stand with Ryan Patel (72) and a 111-run partnership with Ben Geddes (61) to propel Surrey to a formidable total of 296 for 6.
Despite losing five wickets in the final eight overs, Surrey’s total proved too much for Leicestershire. Sol Budinger, the competition’s leading run-scorer, kept the Foxes in the hunt with a valiant 70, while Tom Scriven’s career-best 55 raised hopes of a thrilling finish.
However, leg-spinner Cameron Steel proved to be the match-winner for Surrey, claiming 3 for 48. All-rounders Ian Holland (2 for 50) and Scriven (2 for 51) also impressed with the ball, while 19-year-old seamer Sam Wood made a promising List A debut with 1 for 34.
The Foxes’ chase got off to a shaky start as they lost openers Holland and Lewis Hill cheaply. Ajinkya Rahane was dropped on four but failed to capitalize, falling for 27. Budinger and Peter Handscomb shared a 48-run partnership, but both fell to Steel, leaving Leicestershire in a precarious position.
Trevaskis and Cox departed in quick succession, leaving Scriven and Wood to keep the contest alive. Scriven hit two sixes in a 45-run eighth-wicket stand with Wood, but Steel’s stunning catch at backward point ended Scriven’s resistance and sealed the victory for Surrey.
With three wins from five, Leicestershire’s hopes of qualifying for the knock-out stages remain alive, but they face an uphill battle with Group B leaders Warwickshire and Glamorgan both boasting five wins from five.
