Surrey and Gloucestershire Play Out Thrilling Tie in Vitality Blast

Surrey and Gloucestershire played out a thrilling tie in their Vitality Blast encounter at the Kia Oval. Surrey, chasing 171, were on the verge of victory before David Payne's heroics in the final over.

Gloucestershire openers Miles Hammond and Cameron Bancroft provided a solid start, posting 67 for the first wicket. Hammond's 25-ball 33 and Bancroft's 32 from 26 set the platform for a competitive total.

However, Surrey's bowlers fought back, with Matt Taylor and Payne claiming three wickets apiece. Beau Webster's 31-ball 40, including two sixes, helped Gloucestershire reach 170 for 6.

Surrey's reply got off to a shaky start as Dan Lawrence and Laurie Evans fell cheaply. Jason Roy and Ollie Pope then steadied the ship with a 96-run stand. Roy struck a 37-ball 55, while Pope contributed 48.

With 81 required from eight overs, Payne returned to the attack and struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Pope and Roy. Marchant de Lange and Dom Sibley kept Surrey in the hunt, but Smith's dismissal in the 17th over left them needing 32 from four overs.

Tom Curran's quickfire 18 brought Surrey to the brink of victory, but Payne's brilliance in the final over denied them. He yorked Curran with his first ball and had Sean Abbott caught in the deep off his third.

With scores level and the field in, Payne fired in another yorker that Jordan Clark could only dig out back towards the bowler. Payne moved swiftly to his right and ran out Clark at the bowler's end, securing a dramatic tie for Gloucestershire.

Tags: #VitalityBlast, #Surrey, #Gloucestershire, #JasonRoy, #OlliePope