Sussex 134 all out
Surrey 258-6
Surrey win by 124 runs
In a commanding batting display, Surrey hit their highest ever T20 total before the feeble Sussex Sharks capitulated in the second innings, losing by 124 runs at the 1st Central County Ground in Hove.
Laurie Evans’s masterful 93 off 51 balls led the visitors to 258 for 6 from their 20 overs – the fourth-highest T20 blast total of all time.
He was supported admirably by the aggressive Sam Curran. From 35 balls, Curran smashed a blistering 68 runs.
After a steady start, the all-rounder took on Shadab Khan, heaving the leg-spinner for four before unleashing a monstrous slog-swept six in the seventh over.
Evans also got in on the act as the lacklustre Khan was belted for 43 runs from his three overs.
The pair shared a second-wicket stand of 157 before Curran edged a wide Khan delivery to Mills at backward point.
Having left Sussex for the visitors three years ago, Evans returned with a point to prove. In the third over, he flicked Nathan McAndrew for consecutive fours as the onslaught began.
After several forceful blows, the opener went to fifty in the ninth over, slogging Henry Crocombe for six over Cow Corner.
The 21-year-old bowler has enjoyed a successful start to the season but leaked 51 runs in the first innings. He managed to somewhat save his figures in his penultimate over, claiming the crucial wickets of Jamie Overton and the excellent Evans – both caught in the deep.
Yet there would be no let up in Surrey runs once their talisman fell. From nine balls, Tom Curran hit five freakish boundaries to reach 31 before departing to Tymal Mills with one over to spare.
Mills also claimed the wicket of Jamie Smith who picked out Gully from his first ball. However, he and McAndrew were not excused from the mauling, Evans and co plundering a combined 97 runs off the pair.
In reply, Sussex had no choice but to attack. Opener Tom Clark did just that, clipping a classy boundary off the innings’ first ball.
He continued taking risks against the off-spin of Will Jacks which yielded consecutive fours in the fourth over.
Jacks would claim his revenge in the final over of the powerplay. Eager to continue the attack, Clark ran down the wicket and completely missed a looping delivery. Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith removed the bails.
The home side then completely crumbled, succumbing to Surrey’s excellent spinners, and were all out for just 134.
