Aylish Cranstone, bowlers steer Surrey to victory over Essex

Aylish Cranstone hit an unbeaten 48 off 41 balls while openers Kirstie White (39, 39b) and Kira Chathli (33, 73b) also chipped in as Surrey comfortably defeated Essex by eight wickets in the London Championship on Monday (August 3) at Gidea Park.

Chasing a target of 136 runs, Surrey never seemed to be in any discomfort as White and Chathli added 64 for the first wicket before the former was caught by Poppy Simpson off Beth Dodd. Chathli then joined hands with Cranstone for a 60-run second-wicket partnership.

Earlier, Hannah Jones (3/18) and Alice Capsey (3/12) shared six wickets between them to restrict Essex to 135 for 9 in 50 overs. Although Jessica Bird (26, 66b) and H Brown (34, 80b) tried their best but couldn't find ways as the duo of Jones and Capsey maintained a tight line and length never allowing the opposition to free their arms.

Eva Gray and Beth Kerins also chipped in with a wicket apiece for Surrey. For Essex, apart from Brown and Bird, none of the batters crossed the 20-run mark. Surrey got the first breakthrough when Jones dismissed Dodd (10, 17b) with the score reading 19. Bird and KA Midwood (17, 54b) tried to forge a partnership but the former was caught short of the crease to leave Essex at 59 for 2 in the 21st over.

Thereafter wickets kept falling for Essex as Surrey bowlers capitalized on that to restrict the opposition at a below-par score. With this win, Surrey maintain their cent per cent win record with eight points from two games.

Brief scores: Essex 135 for 9 in 50 overs (H Brown 34, Jessica Bird 26; Hannah Jones 3/18, Alice Capsey 3/12) lost to Surrey 136 for 2 in 26 overs (Aylish Cranstone 48*) by eight wickets.