Result: Surrey 194-8 beat Middlesex 119 all out by 75 runs
By Jon Batham (ECB Reporters’ Network supported by Rothesay)
WILL Jacks’ scintillating 97 led Surrey to a fifth win in a row as they thrashed London neighbours Middlesex by 75 runs at the Kia Oval.
The England all-rounder, not required for Test duty against India, nevertheless reminded the selectors of his batting prowess, pummelling five 6s and 104s in a 56-ball masterclass. Noah Cornwell and Ryan Higgins were the pick of the Middlesex attack with two wickets apiece.
Middlesex were never in it in reply, subsiding to 119 all out, New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner taking 3-25.
It was a sobering watch for new Seaxes head coach Dane Vilas, who will officially take charge ahead of the County Championship clash with Northamptonshire on Sunday.
The one concern for the hosts was the loss of Chris Jordan, who left the field apparently concussed after a heavy fall attempting a catch.
Jacks sent the opening ball of the match to the fence before the first of his five sixes came from a clip over long leg.
That was the prelude to 22 off the last over of the powerplay bowled by youngster Naavya Sharma which took Jacks to 50 in only 24 balls.
There was a brief pause for breath before an audacious golf-swing shot into the crowd at long-off and after being given a life when dropped by Cornwell at deep fine leg, another vicious pull over square leg off Helm took him into the 90s.
There would be no hundred as he holed out going for the century in the grand manner, one of three wickets in four balls for Helm (3-48), but this was scintillating stuff.
To Middlesex’s credit others came and went as the hosts didn’t make the most of being 66-0 after the powerplay and 95-2 at halfway.
Dom Sibley, dropped on eight by Shah reached 27 and Sam Curran 26 before both being caught and bowled by Cornwell, as the visitors chipped away, Ryan Higgins hitting the stumps twice in the final over.
Kane Williamson, fresh from his 50 against Essex 24 hours earlier, ramped, paddled drove and cut Reece Topley for four boundaries in his second over to launch the chase, but the former New Zealand Test skipper fell in the next over, slapping Tom Curran straight to Jason Roy at cover.
Max Holden picked up the baton with fours to long leg and third, but perished attempting to sweep Mitchell Santner over the long boundary, while Ben Geddes, returning to face his former county, survived two vehement appeals for catches behind later in the same over, but left without scoring in the next trying to go over extra cover.
Eskinazi’s torturous innings of less than a run a ball ended when he was bowled by Santner and Joe Cracknell in his first game in the tournament this season quickly came and went.
With the rate required now 14 an over Santner then bowled the dangerous Hollman to claim his third wicket as Middlesex folded.
“I enjoy playing against Middlesex. I think they have got an attack that suits me. Over the years it is always a good game to step up in,” Jacks said.
“I played a nice back foot punch off the young guy Sharma which I was really pleased with and overall I was very happy with the tempo of my innings today. I played the conditions pretty well where I played the long game rather than just continuing to bash it after the powerplay.
“I was happy with our score. It was a beautiful wicket the other day and it was still very good if a touch on the dry side. We saw Zafar Gohar get a bit of spin, so I was very pleased with 194.
“It seems like Mitchell bowls beautifully every day. He’s very skilled, very canny, doesn’t overdo it, but watches the batsman and uses his mind to get people out.”
