Kia Oval Talking Points: The Harris sisters, sixes galore and Surrey synergy

The Cricketer looks at the main talking points from the Women's T20 Blast match between Surrey and Bears at the Kia Oval

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Movement That Inspires play of the day

After Surrey Women posted a huge 204 for 5, their greatest danger was Bears overseas batter Laura Harris.

That was, of course, after they survived the first test as the competition's second-highest run-scorer, Davina Perrin, made just seven. 

So, there was concern when Alexa Stonehouse put down a really tough chance, slightly distracted by her teammate who was backtracking, with the batter on just five. 

That concern grew as Harris smashed two sixes and seven fours before she was bowled for 42 off just 14 balls. 

Alice Monaghan, just three games back from a two-month absence due to a badly broken finger, provided the breakthrough as she castled the 36-year-old.

This is, no doubt, a special match for Harris as she was pitted against her sister and Surrey's overseas, Grace. While the older sister may have outscored her younger sister by five runs, it was grace that got the bragging rights as Surrey prevailed by 25 runs. 

With both teams qualified for Finals Day, the pair, who are in the same Women's Big Bash team, could battle again this season with a T20 title on the line. 

Related: England's T20I opener extends contract at Surrey

Related: Depth test for restructured domestic system produces thrilling tie

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Grace Harris secured bragging rights over her sister as Surrey prevailed over Bears (Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Take The Lead, Drive Electric moment of the day

With top order batters Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Sophia Dunkley and Alice Capsey unavailable, wicketkeeper Kira Chatli walked out to open the batting with captain Bryony Smith. 

There was pressure on the home side after losing the toss and being inserted, but that was swiftly eased by the opening pair. When Smith departed for 20, bowled by Amu Surenkumar, Chatli took on the mantle.

She plundered 65 off just 31 balls to set her team up for a huge total. 

The highlight of her brilliant knock was the number of sixes as she smashed five of them into the stands at the Kia Oval. There were a further six boundaries to go with the maximums, too.

Both the first and the final six came off Hannah Baker's leg-spin, which she duly deposited over the leg-side and then again straight back over the bowlers' head. 

She even brought up his own 24-ball half-century with back-to-back sixes off left-armer Pheobe Brett.

Her and the crowd's fun was ended when she holed out to Laura Harris at long off to hand Surenkumar a second scalp, but it played a major part in Surrey's eventual 204 for 5.

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Will Jacks scored a century as Surrey Men posted the exact same score as Surrey Women (Getty Images)

Surrey Men and Women align

The last match of Surrey's T20 Blast campaign was not a doubleheader as the men were in Hove to take on Sussex.

Both teams knew their qualification for the knockouts was already sealed after strong group stage performances, and both batted first. 

The more remarkable part of their concurrent games was that they finished on exactly the same first innings score, 204 for 5.

While Chatli highlighted the effort at the Kia Oval, Will Jacks smashed a century to underpin the men's effort on the south coast. 

It is this type of two team, one club synergy that has made it such a successful season for the club as a whole for the South London club. 

Both teams won their matches, too, to complete a perfect evening for the club.

There is hope, with the respective knockouts beckoning, that both will be able to lift T20 titles come the end of the season. 

This report was brought to you in association with Kia – to find out more about why Kia is a leader in electrification, visit www.kia.com

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