Essex look value to deepen Surrey gloom

South Group matches
From 6.30pm Thursday

Surrey have lost their first two T20 Blast South Group games this summer and even the arrival of Australian batsmen Aaron Finch and Nic Maddinson may not be enough to end that streak.

The Aussie influx is certainly a welcome boost for a Surrey side missing Jason Roy, who is on England duty, and Finch cracked a record 172 in a Twenty20 international against Zimbabwe last week.

But the home side are also without the injured Tom Curran and his brother Sam, who replaced him in England’s ODI squad, while Essex – beaten by Sussex in their opening game – responded well, chasing down 180 to beat Middlesex at Chelmsford.

The Eagles bat deep, with the hard-hitting Matt Coles down at number eight, and they gave West Indies ace Dwayne Bravo a rare hammering last time out, taking 53 runs off his 3.5 overs.

There is plenty to like about the Essex bowling attack too. Jamie Porter and Sam Cook have gone at just seven an over with the new ball and Simon Harmer and Adam Zampa form a terrific spin attack.

Sussex are bidding for a third win on the trot when they travel to Hampshire, who were thumped by Glamorgan in their opening game. Both counties were prominent in the ante-post betting and bookmakers are struggling to split the pair for the clash at the Rose Bowl.

Recommendation
Essex
1pt 11-10 general

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