The 35-year-old batter Laurie Evans has over 5,000 runs in T20 cricket at an average just above 33 and has played franchise cricket for various franchise overseas but he still longs for his T20I debut. Evans let his presence known as Surrey took on Glamorgan in T20 Blast 2023 with an unbeaten 118.
After Surrey skipper Chris Jordan won the toss, openers Will Jacks and Evans got the side off to a fiery start with 56 runs in powerplay overs. Evans got to his half-century with two consecutive sixes off Callum Taylor. The opening partnership was broken in the 11th over by Peter Hatzonglou. Jacks missed his half-century as he got out after scoring 46 runs from 29 deliveries including five fours and one six. The opening partnership was of 115 runs.
Evans continued to hit big shots and support from Sam Curran as well. Sam hit Prem Sisodiya for three sixes in the 16th over. Evans got to his century from 52 balls in the 17th over. Curran smashed three sixes off Hatzoglou and got to his half-century from 22 balls. He hit three sixes in the over. Curran got out in the final over in which only seven runs were scored. Curran scored 66 runs from 29 balls including one four and seven sixes.
Evans remained unbeaten for 118 from 60 balls including 12 fours and six sixes as Surrey posted a mammoth total of 236/2. This was Evans’ third century of his T20 career. In the ongoing T20 Blast, Evans has scored 234 runs from seven games at an average of 39 and a strike rate of 161.38
In reply, only Sam Northeast put up a fight with his 54-ball 76. Gus Atkinson, Curran and Jordan took three wickets each. Sean Abbott and Sunil Narine took one wicket each too to restrict Glamorgan for 171/8. Surrey won the match by 65 runs at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.
Surrey are currently second on the points table with five wins from seven games and a positive net run rate (NRR).
