Surrey and Somerset will play again at Edgbaston, less than 48 hours after their exciting County Championship contest in Taunton.
They will play each other again in the T20 Blast semifinal from the previous year. Chris Jordan, the captain of Surrey’s T20 team, is upbeat despite their side’s recent setbacks as they pursue a double-winning season.
These two teams have played competitive and thrilling games over the years. Although Jordan is aware that Somerset, the reigning champions, will present a difficult task, he is optimistic that his team is ready for another intense struggle.
He stressed the need to immediately adjust to new formats, particularly in light of Surrey’s disastrous attempts to force a draw in Taunton, resulting in a devastating collapse against Somerset’s spin pair of Jack Leach and Archie Vaughan.
Jordan thinks the team’s seasoned multi-format players can make the required modifications despite the difficulties.
Dom Sibley is an essential player for Surrey in this forthcoming game. Days before his defensive performance in Taunton, Sibley scored an explosive 67 off 48 balls to help Surrey defeat Durham in the quarterfinals.
Based on his reputation as a defensive Test opener, Sibley’s game was on display in this innings.
His teammates have been impressed by his improved power game since he returned to Surrey, and his powerplay play has been essential to the team’s successful chases.
But Surrey will play Somerset without a few essential players. Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Sam Curran, and Reece Topley are all unable to play because of their England T20I series obligations against Australia.
Jordan is optimistic despite these absences, pointing out that the team has adjusted to such circumstances all season long.
Surrey is confident in its depth and capacity to perform well because its group is packed with players who are rated at the international level.
Jordan also talked about the current discussion around cricket’s overbooked schedule, which has been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jordan adopts a more measured stance, unlike some who, like Sussex captain Tymal Mills, have criticized the scheduling conflicts between domestic and international competitions.
He is aware of the difficulties in juggling obligations both domestically and abroad. He thinks the governing bodies should have the last say when deciding which players to release for international competitions.
Jason Roy, who has chosen to play for the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), will also be missed much by Surrey.
Roy’s choice to put franchise cricket ahead of domestic obligations is indicative of how T20 cricket is changing and how players are now able to participate in leagues all over the world.
Jordan backed Roy’s decision, recognizing that it’s a personal one in a cricket world that is changing quickly.
Jordan is realistic about his international career. He understands that, at 36, he has little prospect of playing for England in the future when they play white-ball cricket under Brendon McCullum.
He is still intent on representing Surrey and helping them win on Finals Day, though. His expertise and leadership will be significant as Surrey attempts to defeat Somerset and keep chasing a season to remember.
