Surrey Ends Losing Streak with Victory Over Leicestershire

Surrey 296 for 6 (Sibley 105, Patel 72, Geddes 61) defeated Leicestershire 279 (Budinger 70, Scriven 55, Steel 3-48) by 17 runs

Dom Sibley's impressive century, his second in three matches, propelled Surrey to their first Metro Bank One-Day Cup win of the season, breaking a five-match losing streak and denting Leicestershire's chances of advancing to the knock-out stages.

Sibley followed up his 149 against Warwickshire and 72 versus Nottinghamshire with a solid 105, building key partnerships of 138 for the first wicket with Ryan Patel (72) and 111 for the second with Ben Geddes (61), leading Surrey to a total of 296 for 6. Despite losing five wickets in the final eight overs, this total proved insurmountable.

Leicestershire's hopes were buoyed by opener Sol Budinger, who reinforced his status as the tournament's top run-scorer with 70 off 68 balls, and Tom Scriven's career-best 55. However, their efforts were not enough as leg-spinner Cameron Steel's 3 for 48 helped Surrey secure the victory in front of nearly 1,400 spectators.

All-rounders Ian Holland (2 for 50) and Tom Scriven (2 for 51) were Leicestershire's standout bowlers, while 19-year-old seamer Sam Wood impressed with 1 for 34 on his List A debut.

Surrey's innings was marked by a strong start from Sibley and Patel. Batting first on an overcast morning, they reached 51 without loss in 10 overs and 125 by the halfway mark. Sibley reached his fifty off 59 balls, and Patel followed with his from 72 balls. Patel's unlucky dismissal came when a bouncer from Wood deflected off his helmet onto the stumps.

Geddes maintained the momentum despite a dropped catch by Chris Wright at fine leg, adding 26 more runs before being caught at deep midwicket off Roman Walker. Sibley, who reached his century off 115 balls with 11 fours, was soon out, and Scriven claimed wickets in consecutive overs, including Rory Burns. 

Holland then took two crucial catches, dismissing Josh Blake and Ollie Sykes, reducing Surrey from 249 for 1 to 286 for 6.

Leicestershire's chase began poorly, losing two wickets for 49 runs in 10 overs. Ajinkya Rahane was dropped early, but only managed 27 before being caught at midwicket off Patel. Budinger and Peter Handscomb, who shared a match-winning partnership against Essex last year, could only add 48 this time before Budinger was out. 

This crucial wicket at 142 for 4 was followed by Handscomb's dismissal, caught at cover, both falling to Steel. 

Trevaskis was bowled by Yousef Majid, and Cox was trapped leg-before by McKerr. Scriven's partnership with Wood added 45 runs, but Surrey's victory was sealed when Scriven was caught spectacularly by Patel at backward point, ending Leicestershire's innings at 279.

Surrey's win elevates them to second in Group B, with Warwickshire and Glamorgan leading with five wins each. The match was also marked by both teams wearing black armbands and observing a minute’s silence in memory of the late Graham Thorpe, a celebrated England and Surrey cricketer.