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In a thrilling display at the Kia Oval, Dominic Sibley and Sam Curran powered Surrey to the Vitality Blast Finals day with a commanding five-wicket victory over Durham. Their match-winning partnership of 95 runs in just 63 balls sealed the chase of 163 with 12 balls to spare, sending the hosts into the finals with confidence.
Sibley, the former England opener, showcased his class with a stunning 67 off 48 balls, hitting two sixes and six fours. Sam Curran, who had already made headlines earlier in the competition with a century, continued his fine form, smashing 52 off 34 balls, including four towering sixes.
Durham, despite a shaky start, fought back valiantly from 69 for 6 to post a respectable 162 for 8, thanks to crucial contributions from Michael Jones (37), Bas De Leede (24 off 15), and a quickfire 23 off 8 balls from Ben Raine. Surrey’s bowlers, particularly Dan Worrall (2 for 14) and Reece Topley (2 for 20), were instrumental in wrecking Durham’s top order during the powerplay, setting the stage for Surrey’s dominance.
Worrall and Topley’s early strikes left Durham reeling, with key players like Graham Clark, Ollie Robinson, and Alex Lees back in the pavilion within the first few overs. Although Brydon Carse provided some resistance with a six, his stay was short-lived as he edged Topley to wicketkeeper Rory Burns. Colin Ackerman’s unfortunate run-out, followed by Ashton Turner’s dismissal, further deepened Durham’s troubles.
However, Jones and De Leede put up a spirited fight, raising a 50-run stand in just 30 balls. Jones continued his onslaught even after De Leede was bowled by Curran, and Raine’s late blitz, which included two sixes off the final over, pushed Durham’s total to a competitive 162.
Surrey’s chase began with some early setbacks, as Carse removed the dangerous Will Jacks and Laurie Evans in quick succession. But Sibley and Burns, both former England openers, steadied the innings. Sibley defied his reputation with aggressive strokes during the powerplay, while Burns fell to the spin of Callum Parkinson.
The partnership between Sibley and Curran proved decisive as they tackled a rising run rate with calculated aggression. Sam Curran broke a 30-ball boundary drought with a massive six off Nathan Sowter, and soon after, Sibley reached his half-century with a glorious six over mid-on. Curran, dropped by De Leede on 31, made Durham pay by smashing Sowter out of the park.
Although Sibley and Curran were dismissed before the end, their contributions ensured Surrey’s victory was never in doubt, as they comfortably crossed the finish line, securing their spot in the Vitality Blast Finals.
