Kia Oval Talking Points: Surrey edge past Hampshire thanks to Sam Curran century

The Cricketer looks at the main talking points from the T20 Blast clash between Surrey and Hampshire Hawks at the Kia Oval

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Movement That Inspires play of the day

With the result a formality heading into the final two overs, the only question was whether Sam Curran would reach three figures for the first time in his white-ball career.

He started the penultimate over on 85, with Surrey 13 away from a victory which would deliver a home quarter-final in September.

The England all-rounder started his pursuit by whacking Brad Wheal down the ground for four before surviving being caught on the third boundary by James Fuller to move to within five of the landmark.

He turned down a single before taking the run with just two required off seven.

Partner Chris Jordan played along, defending the ball off his hip to give Curran back at the strike at the start of the final over.

Hampshire could have been forgiven for sensing an opportunity but Fuller bowled the first ball of the 20th over in the slot, which was dispatched over wide long-on to spark wild scenes of jubilation on the field and in the stands.

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Matt Dunn was back in T20 action for Surrey (Ben Hoskins/Getty Images for Surrey CCC)

Take The Lead, Drive Electric moment of the day

Surrey sprung a surprise in their XI for the visit of Hampshire, giving Matt Dunn a first T20 appearance in more than three years.

Outside of the One-Day Cup, which returns next week, the 32-year-old hasn't played for the club since June 2021.

He was part of the group which played on Second XI T20 Finals Day earlier in the week, taking two wickets in the semi-final defeat to Yorkshire at Wormsley.

And he carried that form into tonight's clash, removing Ben McDermott and Tom Prest inside the first four overs.

Dunn has played 20 One-Day Cup matches over the past three campaigns and with Gus Atkinson, Tom and Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Reece Topley and Tom Lawes departing for The Hundred, he is bound for further opportunities in the coming weeks.

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It was a tough night for James Fuller at the Kia Oval (Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

No ball controversy

Controversy reigned in the 12th over when Curran was given a life on 44, a key moment in the eventual outcome.

Three balls in a no-ball was signalled when Fuller bowled a delivery beyond the reach of Curran.

Fuller threw another delivery in short which Curran connected with, but the ball flew behind square and was pouched by John Turner.

But Hampshire's celebrations were cut short when umpire Rob White adjudged the delivery had reached the batter above shoulder height, for the second time in the over.

Replays suggested the decision was somewhat questionable and it caused constenation among the visitors, with captain James Vince approaching both Curran and White, while Fuller stood hands on hips debating the decision.

Curran would go on to hit a maiden T20 hundred and guide Surrey to victory, consigning Hampshire to their seventh defeat of the campaign.

This report was brought to you in association with Kia – to find out more about why Kia is a leader in electrification, visit www.kia.com

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