Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast, form, prediction and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the Vitality Blast...
Fixture: Surrey v Sussex Sharks
Venue: The Kia Oval
Date: Thursday, June 17, 2021
Start time: 6.30pm
What’s the lowdown?
This is a clash of the T20 titans and only one team will emerge from Thursday's clash unscathed.
Surrey are unbeaten after three matches and look set for a long white-ball summer. After smashing 223 runs past Middlesex on their way to a compelling 54-run win, Gareth Batty's side have chased down two further victories with ease. The first was a seven-wicket win over Somerset, surpassing 187 with four overs remaining; the second, a comfortable five-wicket win against Glamorgan.
Sussex, meanwhile, are also unbeaten, dispatching Gloucestershire, Hampshire Hawks and Essex Eagles with routine ease. They're yet to bat first but have been imperious when chasing, losing just nine wickets in three matches and restricting all of their opponents to sub-180 totals.
Given the form of both sides with the bat, a run-fest is almost a given. Surrey boast a formidable batting line-up which Sussex have a healthy mix of home-grown talent and established overseas players.
Who’s in form?
Everything is clicking in Surrey's star-studded line-up. Jason Roy, Laurie Evans, Will Jacks and even Jamie Overton have been destructive with the bat while Tom Curran and Dan Moriarty have made an impact with the ball and in the field.
However, the pick of the bunch is Sam Curran. He already had six wickets to his name, including taking 4 for 29 against Gloucestershire, and struck a superb 36-ball 72 against Somerset while batting at number four. He just keeps getting better.
Phil Salt has been incredible so far this Blast, slamming two match-winning 70’s in the first two games. His 162 runs have come at an equivalent average, the best in the league. Returning skipper, Luke Wright, provided ample support against Essex, slamming 75 from 44 balls.
George Garton has been the stand out bowler in the Blast, taking eight wickets at a mesmerising economy of 5.08 and an equally incredible average of 7.62.
What’s the team news?
Surrey have named an unchanged 15-man squad following their unbeaten start to the season. Tom Curran, Sam Curran and Jason Roy will play their penultimate match before joining up with England's white-ball squad while returning Test opener Rory Burns is unavailable until Surrey's clash with Essex on June 21. Ollie Pope is self-isolating after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19.
Surrey squad: Gareth Batty, Hashim Amla, Jordan Clark, Rikki Clarke, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Matt Dunn, Laurie Evans, Ben Geddes, Will Jacks, Dan Moriarty, Jamie Overton, Ryan Patel, Jason Roy, Jamie Smith
Sussex have made one change to their squad, with Ollie Robinson replacing Mitch Claydon.
Sussex Sharks squad: Luke Wright, Will Beer, Ravi Bopara, Oli Carter, George Garton, Travis Head, Chris Jordan, Archie Lenham, Tymal Mills, Delray Rawlins, Ollie Robinson, Phil Salt, Aaron Thomason, David Wiese
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Surrey: WWWLW
Sussex Sharks: WWWLW
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 33
Surrey wins: 17
Sussex Sharks wins: 12
Tied: 1
Abandoned: 3
No result: 3
What’s the weather forecast?
Following some overnight rain, the forecast for Thursday evening is cloudy with temperatures hovering around the late-teens to low twenties.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for The Kia Oval: Click here
Going to the game?
Tickets
This match is sold out.
Travel
Address: Kennington Oval, London SE11 5SS
By car: No match-day parking is available at, or in the vicinity of the ground, and we advise all customers to use public transport. We only offer parking to Blue Badge holders on a first come first serve basis.
The ground is situated on the A202, near the junction with the A3 and A24, just south of Vauxhall Bridge and 10-minutes from Victoria and Waterloo.
By train: Use South Western Railway trains into Vauxhall station, which is a 10-minute walk from the ground. The station is well served by trains throughout Surrey and Hampshire as well as from the Greater London area.
By underground: The Kia Oval is just a one-minute walk away from Oval underground station, which is situated in South London on the Northern line. It is on your left as you leave the main entrance of the station. The ground is also a 10-minute walk from Vauxhall which is situated on the Victoria line.
By bus: Route numbers 36, 185 and 436 stop outside the ground and other local services stop around the corner. The following buses pass within a 5-minute walk of the ground: 3, 59, 109, 133, 159, 333.
How do I follow the match?
Surrey will offer live coverage of the match via their website: Click here
All T20 Blast matches are also available via the ECB's central hub: Click here
The matches can also be viewed on mobile via the ECB app.
Radio: All Vitality Blast fixtures will be available on BBC Local Radio stations with extensive coverage also on 5 Live Sports Extra.
Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and updates from every Vitality Blast match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.
Prediction?
It is almost impossible to predict. Both teams have been so dominant, but Sussex have been a more complete side so far in the tournament. Sussex win.
OTHER T20 BLAST FIXTURES: THURSDAY, JUNE 17
North Group
Derbyshire Falcons v Northants Steelbacks
South Group
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