Sam Curran's Century Leads Surrey to Victory Over Hampshire

Surrey 188 for 5 (Curran 102) beat Hampshire 183 (Albert 66, Clarke 3-24) by five wickets

Sam Curran's first T20 century propelled Surrey to a five-wicket triumph over Hampshire, ensuring them a home quarter-final and the top spot in the South Group. The England all-rounder smashed six sixes and seven fours in his unbeaten 58-ball 102, reaching his century with the winning shot as Surrey chased down 184 with five balls to spare at The Kia Oval.

Curran, who survived a no-ball dismissal at 44, formed crucial partnerships with Dominic Sibley (27) and Jamie Overton (21), adding 86 and 54 runs respectively. John Turner was the standout bowler for Hampshire, taking 2 for 30. Hampshire's innings of 183 was anchored by Toby Albert's career-best 66, his first half-century in T20s. Jordan Clark's 3 for 24 kept Hampshire’s total within reach, with Matt Dunn contributing two wickets in his first T20 match in three years.

Hampshire, the 2022 champions, adopted an aggressive strategy but failed to capitalise on their starts, with only Albert making a significant contribution. Australian Ben McDermott hit the first six of the game off Dunn but was later caught by Overton. Dunn also dismissed Tom Prest, while James Vince hit five boundaries, including a majestic six off Curran, before a sharp delivery from Clark crashed into his stumps. With Joe Weatherley falling early, Hampshire was at 65 for 4.

Albert began aggressively, hitting two sixes to race to 30. However, Benny Howell followed the trend of big hit and out, and James Fuller was bowled by Clark. Liam Dawson had a brief spark but was run out after a mix-up, leaving Albert to push Hampshire to a respectable 183 with some late acceleration.

Surrey, missing their top scorers Ollie Pope and Jamie Smith due to Test duties, needed other players to step up. Will Jacks hit Brad Wheal's first ball for six but was caught out on the next delivery. Wheal also dismissed Laurie Evans, and Turner added pressure with two hostile overs. Eddie Jack, England Under-19 international, removed Rory Burns with a stunning catch by Prest, leaving Surrey struggling at 27 for 3. Sibley was dropped by Dawson, giving Surrey a reprieve.

Curran, returning from last month's T20 World Cup, seized the opportunity by hitting Dawson for six and then hitting Howell for two successive maximums. A dramatic moment came when Turner caught a top edge off Curran, but it was ruled a no-ball, giving Curran another chance. 

Curran reached his 50 in 34 balls and continued to dominate, surpassing his previous T20 best with his fourth six. Overton joined the fray with two sixes off Jack and, although he was dismissed before the end, Curran sealed the victory by hitting Fuller into the Bedser Stand.