Finn steers Middlesex to tense T20 win over Surrey

Steven Finn was Middlesex’s unlikely hero with the bat as they snatched a dramatic T20 Blast victory over local rivals Surrey at Lord’s.

The home side had appeared to be coasting at 133-3 – needing only 26 more – before Surrey skipper Gareth Batty initiated a staggering collapse, with six wickets tumbling for 20 runs.

It was down to last man Finn to rescue his side, squirting a leg-side boundary off Ravi Rampaul with eight balls to spare.

Surrey won the toss and batted first, but soon lost Dominic Sibley (5), caught behind off a perfect outswinger from Tim Southee (2-23).

Aaron Finch blazed 22 from just 12 balls before falling to Tom Helm’s first delivery and leg-spinner Nathan Sowter matched that feat as Ben Foakes (13) swung across the line and lost his off stump.

Wickets continued to fall regularly as the slow spin of Paul Stirling (2-16) pegged Surrey back, accounting for both Curran brothers in quick succession.

Kumar Sangakkara held Surrey’s innings together with a mixture of elegant placement and brute force, accumulating 70 from 42 deliveries before he played on to Finn.

Stirling (23) got the Middlesex reply off to a brisk start, bludgeoning three fours and a six before he steered Rampaul to mid-off in the fourth over.

Dawid Malan (41) dispatched Rampaul for two huge sixes on the leg side before he became the second of four victims for Batty, following the departure of Brendon McCullum (9).

The experienced pair of Eoin Morgan (31) and James Franklin (23) compiled a partnership of 53 – the highest of the match – but Middlesex stumbled within sight of the finishing line.

Batty (4-14) produced a double wicket maiden, removing Morgan (31) and Southee (0) in successive deliveries and Middlesex suddenly lost their heads before Finn scrambled victory in a tense climax.