Ollie Pope goes straight from England’s Test team into Surrey’s squad for tonight’s Vitality Blast quarter-final against Yorkshire at the Kia Oval, for which both teams are significantly understrength.
The ECB’s congested fixture list means this week’s quarter-finals clash with England’s T20 team’s series with India, which begins tomorrow at the Ageas Bowl.
Surrey are missing Jason Roy, Sam Curran, Reece Topley and captain Chris Jordan. In his absence, Will Jacks steps up as skipper for the first time, with Pope’s return welcome.
Yorkshire are also significantly undermanned, with their skipper David Willey, Harry Brook and Dawid Malan all in the squad. In addition, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow are resting ahead of next week’s ODIs, and Adil Rashid has made the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
Remarkably, this is the first time Surrey and Yorkshire, English cricket’s two biggest counties, have met in the 20-year history of T20 cricket.
Surrey still have a host of internationals in their side, including Sunil Narine, Jamie Overton and Tom Curran, who is back playing, although it is unclear whether is available to bowl after a stress fracture of the back.
A place at Finals Day a week on Saturday awaits for the winner.
