Adam Finch upstages Sam Curran as Surrey enjoy rare respite in Bob Willis Trophy

SAM DALLING: The on-loan Worcestershire man held up Kent's progress at The Kia Oval on the day the hosts had two England internationals back in their ranks

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• Surrey boosted by Sam Curran return

It’s been a funny old six months hasn't it?

Back in pre-season if you’d have told Worcestershire quick Adam Finch that come August he’d be taking to the field at in Surrey colours, he’d probably have laughed. 

If you’d mentioned his name to the Oval membership, a resounding “who?” would have been the response. But 2020 has been a year like no other and since the players’ attention started to turn to outdoor activities in late February, the world has been flipped on its head. 

From a cricketing perspective so many opportunities have been lost, never to be rediscovered. But then again some have been found and Finch definitely falls squarely into that category.

He was out of the starting XI at New Road ahead of round on of the Bob Willis Trophy and was snapped up on a week-long loan by a Surrey side decimated by absences ahead of their trip to Essex a week later.

Chelmsford is no easy place to go, not least on your debut having had less than 24 hours to get to know your teammates. The youngster took it in his stride. If he was fazed by the whirlwind move it didn’t show. He bowled well in the first innings without reward before snapping up 4-38 in the second. 

Laurie Evans back to Surrey on permanent deal

His services weren’t required by either side last week, but Alec Stewart was on the blower again a few days ago begging to borrow the seamer again. Worcestershire were happy to oblige. They are riding high at the top of the Central Group right now and have got there using only 12 players so far.  

If another of their promising academy graduates can get game time as well, all the better. Today, he looked brilliant as part of a four-pronged seam attack for Surrey. The quartet were impressive, bowling as a unit and taking wickets at regular intervals.  

Finch, who was one of the youngest members of the England U19 World Cup squad in 2018, wasn’t even in the side until Morne Morkel rolled his ankle on a cricket ball shortly before play began. 

Again, he was unflustered. Glance at his figures and you probably wouldn’t bat an eyelid. But make no mistake, he looks a serious talent.  Hitting the deck hard, he bowls with good pace and is constantly asking question of the opposition batsmen. He got through a good number of overs and also picked up the key wicket of Daniel Bell-Drummond for 45. 

The Kent opener had looked in good touch but misjudged the length of a Finch delivery in the 39th over and was trapped LBW. That hesitation almost certainly game about after the quick had hit him with a well-directed bouncer a few minutes previously. 

^{Sam Curran returned after being released by England}

Finch only made his first-class debut in June 2019 and, while he picked up 12 wickets in eight outings, they cost him 56 apiece. Hardly a stellar introduction to the professional game. But the coaching staff at New Road are big fans and believe their man has made rapid progress over the past 12 months or so. 

They know their stuff too, having been responsible for the graduation of Josh Tongue and Dillon Pennington in the past couple of years. If Finch continues on his current trajectory he could be one to keep an eye on. 

However well Finch bowls over the next few days though, Surrey are dead in the water as far as the Bob Willis Trophy is concerned. They’ve endured a torrid tournament to date and are miles off the pace. Today was a decent one for them though. They were at the races from the off; not something they’ve been able to say much in the past month. 

The returning Curran was full of his usual vim and vigour from the off, and doubtless, there was a little bit of frustration at being left out of the test side this week chucked in for good measure. He picked up 3-65 and at the end of day one of what is essentially a dead rubber, honours are just about even.

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