Predicting Surrey’s Playing XI vs Hampshire in Vitality Blast 2025

After winning a wonderful last-ball match over Kent, Surrey are brimming with confidence as they prepare to face Hampshire at The Rose Bowl in Southampton. Their performance in that match showed them they can play in a variety of different ways, courtesy of Jason Roy’s hitting, Chris Jordan putting on a masterclass with the ball, and Laurie Evans playing a calm, winning hand. Now they face a new challenge against a dangerous Hampshire team, and they must be at their strategic best.

Openers

At the start, Surrey’s top order struggled against Kent, with Dom Sibley and Will Jacks both gone within three overs. Jack’s clearly should be opening. Whether or not he scored 6 runs, he is an explosive player (and has a strike rate of 150+ in the last few seasons), who dominates powerplays, so it is a position that he needs to keep. Jason Roy has to remain in the team after his scintillating 56 off 30 balls.

A few weeks before, he smashed six fours and three mighty maximums, making me, and everybody else for that matter, remember that when he is in this sort of form, he is still a top T20 opener by a country mile. Together, they make a pair who can destroy opposition bowling attacks, or at the very least form a solid initial platform for the innings, starting with the first six overs.

Middle Order

In the middle order, Laurie Evans demonstrated why Surrey views him as the finisher. His 46 not out from 29 balls was the calmness in the frenzied chase with a strike rate of 158 under pressure, showing grace and capacity. Evans is going to be key again, especially if wickets fall in the early part.

Sam Curran, even though he is not actually an all-rounder, was listed as such and had to bat No. 4; he played a key role of 32 off 26 balls. He is a key engine room batter given he can rotate strike and then attack in bursts and will be critical in the middle overs where spin will likely be coming into play at Southampton.

All-Rounders

Mitchell Santner and Sam Curran are the core of Surrey’s all-rounder group of players. Both players had key moments against Kent, with Santner, 2/24 in four overs, and also useful with the bat, making 14, which provided batting and bowling flexibility. On the spin-assisting Rose Bowl pitch, Santner’s left-arm orthodox offers Surrey a valuable edge.

Curran, even though he went for 35 runs, provided balance for the captain and gained an important wicket; adding that from a strategic point of view, in tight chases, Curran’s captaincy will only be a positive. Both Santner and Curran are good enough to win matches in both teams’ innings, as well as Surrey’s flexibility is worth its weight in gold.

Bowlers

Chris Jordan was on fire in the last game, putting in a performance that oozed class. He produced 4/10 in four overs to dismantle Kent’s middle order and flip the match on its head. Jordan is usually known for his death bowling and variations on the field, but he is peaking at the right moment. The contribution of Mitchell Santner’s tight and economical bowling will also be key again.

Nathan Smith’s position may come into question after giving up 42 hogs in just three overs. Despite being expensive and wicketless in the last match, Daniel Worrall has pace and experience and should be given another chance. The centrepiece of the bowling unit is Jordan, so the bowling unit will be the x-factor Surrey will be relying on to defend scores or restrict scores.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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