Superb Middlesex dispatch Surrey in T20

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Middlesex 185-5 (20 ov) beat Surrey 142-9 (20 ov) by 43 runs
(Middlesex 2 pts, Surrey 0 pts)

Middlesex produced one of their best T20 performances of the season to defeat rivals Surrey in front of a sold-out Lord’s.

John Simpson (53) scored his third half-century in the competition this season while there were returns to form for Eoin Morgan (48) and James Franklin (41).

And in an excellent team bowling display, Steven Finn (3-17) and Neil Dexter (3-12) ensured Surrey fell well short, as Mitch McClenaghan and Ollie Rayner also chipped in.

Middlesex had lost Nick Gubbins in the opening over but Dawid Malan and Simpson put on 73 in 54 balls.

Malan (23) launched Ansari down the throat of Jade Dernbach at long on and three overs later Simpson was caught at deep mid-wicket to leave Middlesex on 97-3 in the 13th.

Their total was swelled by some destructive late hitting from both Franklin and Morgan as they scored 40 runs in the 18th and 19th overs.

Surrey’s attempt to chase 186 began badly when Jason Roy was caught off England team-mate Finn (pictured) in the first over.

The visitors then lost three wickets in 16 balls, including a superb catch from Malan diving forward at mid-off to remove Ben Foakes.

Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara produced some resistance with 32 from 25 deliveries but when he holed out, Surrey’s chances looked bleak at 63-5.

Rayner’s fine caught and bowled accounted for Azhar Mahmood, Ansari (17) top edged Finn to slip and a last-wicket partnership between Sam Curran (17 not out) and Dernbach (15 not out) proved in vain.

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