Surrey hope Aaron Finch can help them avenge Oval defeat against Kent

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Will Macpherson20 July 2018

Surrey travel to table-topping Kent in the Vitality Blast tonight seeking revenge for their defeat at the Oval a fortnight ago but bolstered by the presence of the world’s No1-ranked T20 batsman Aaron Finch, who has made a blistering start to the competition.

Finch was captaining Australia in Zimbabwe when Kent prevailed at the Oval, but Surrey have won the two games he has played in — largely thanks to his innings of 58 against Essex and 131 not out against Sussex.

With Surrey currently without a Championship overseas player, Finch is set to play for the club in that format too as the Division One leaders head to Nottinghamshire on Sunday.

Finch memorably hit his first ball for six on his way to a century in his maiden first-class game for the county against Warwickshire two years ago.

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Surrey are without Jason Roy (finger) and Tom Curran (side) for tonight’s clash and the Championship fixture but hope to have the former back for next Friday’s T20 match against Somerset, while the latter will continue playing for the second team as a batsman.

Meanwhile, Jamie Smith has become the latest in a long recent line of players to graduate from the club’s academy. The 18-year-old wicketkeeper signed his first professional deal with the club yesterday.

Surrey Stars also have a big day on Sunday, with the opening of their Kia Super League campaign against Southern Vipers. In the expanded women’s competition, each team will play a full calendar of 10 home and away matches, with Surrey live-streaming all their home matches on their website and Sky broadcasting 12 games.

For the competition’s third season — the penultimate one, as it will be ditched for the Hundred — the Stars are bolstered by the arrival of Sarah Taylor, the brilliant wicketkeeper-bat, which will offset the departure of Tammy Beaumont.

They have increased their South African presence too, with Lizelle Lee and Marizanne Kapp being joined by Dane van Niekerk, the Proteas women’s captain. Nat Sciver again leads the squad.

Mark Robinson, the England coach, believes the competition provides a chance for young players to force their way into the squad for the World T20 in the West Indies later this year.

“It’s possible,” he said. “It’s a good opportunity for those on the fringes, particularly the youngsters, to enhance their reputations and get on the Academy programme.”

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