SURREY got their Royal London Cup qualification back on track with two impressive victories over Gloucestershire and Essex in the last week, writes Mark Caswell.
On a typically flat Oval wicket, Gloucestershire’s final total of 282 was about 100 runs short, and Surrey made short work of passing the target.
Nineteen-year-old Will Jacks’ 121 completed his maiden 1st XI hundred in 85 balls as he peppered the short 50-metre boundary at the pavilion end, in only his third game for the club.
Jacks said: “Personally I was glad to do well and just play my natural game. Dean [Elgar] helped along the way.”
The innings was more impressive after he had seen his opening partner, Jason Roy, back from the Indian IPL, dismissed for 0 in the first over.
Elgar weighed in with a valuable 50, with useful unbeaten contributions from Steve Borthwick and Ben Foakes.
The Essex five wicket was a result of another convincing batting performance as they chased down 294, Roy returning to form with a 65-ball 86, the ever-consistent Elgar with 87 and an unbeaten 84 from wicketkeeper Ben Foakes seeing the visitors home with five overs to spare.
There were some comings and goings towards the end of the week with Tom Curran reporting back for duty following a spell with Kolkata Knights and Morne Morkel joining the staff and completing a 2nd XI match.
South African batsman Elgar returns home, following an outstanding run of scores.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli will not make an appearance for Surrey CCC this season due to a neck injury.