NatWest T20 blast: Jason Roy's 79 helps Surrey crush Kent

Jason Roy’s second brilliant knock on the trot

A high impact performance from Jason Roy, his second on the trot, took Surrey to a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Kent at Kennington Oval. Fifties from Fabian Cowdrey and Darren Stevens helped Kent reach 155 runs off the allotted 20 overs, but Jason Roy produced a brilliant batting display which helped Surrey secure a comprehensive win in the South Division.

It was not a good batting display from Kent. Put into bat, Kent didn’t get off to a solid start. They lost Daniel Bell-Drummond for 4 in the first over. They soon lost the wicket of Sam Northeast for 2 in the third over to leave Kent on the brink at 14 for 2 wickets.

But Cowdrey and Alex Blake re-constructed the innings as the pair put on 46 runs for the third wicket in just 33 balls which helped Stevens-led team to reach 46 runs in six overs. However, they lost Blake in the ninth over for 15.

But a well-constructed fifty from Darren Stevens and Cowdrey helped Kent inch closer towards the 100-run mark. The duo put on 62 runs in 46 balls for the fourth wicket which helped Kent get closer to 150-run mark. But after the wicket of Cowdrey in the 16th over, Kent could manage only 33 runs in the last 25 balls. Tom Curran who went 14 in his first over bowled a splendid 19th over where he gave away only two runs. Overall, Kent could manage only two boundaries and a six in the last four overs.

Surrey needed a good start from the openers to chase down 156. Jason Roy was in sublime form in the last match. Yet again, he produced a brilliant batting display as he scored a quick-fire 79 to set up Surrey’s win with 13 balls to spare.

Roy began the chase with a six off the first ball and soon followed by a boundary of Riley. Adam Riley, who is being monitored by the national selectors, went for 15 runs in the first over. Subsequently, Surrey gathered momentum and never let the Kent bowlers come back into the match.

When Roy was dismissed for 79, Surrey were in a good position at 118 for 1 in 12.2 overs, needing 38 runs to win off 46 balls. However, Kevin Pietersen and Gary Wilson ensured Surrey’s win 13 balls to spare.

For Kent, the pick of the bowlers were Adam Riley and Cowdrey who claimed a wicket each.

Brief Scores:

Surrey 156 for 2 off 17.5 Overs (Roy 79) beat Kent 155 for 4 off 20 Overs (Stevens 56*, Cowdrey 55) by eight wickets