Surrey vs Hampshire – T20 Blast 2025 Preview (05/06/2025, 18:30 GMT)

Match Details

• Teams: Surrey vs Hampshire
• Competition: T20 Blast 2025
• Match Number: 21st Match of the T20 Blast 2025
• Venue: Kennington Oval, London
• Date & Time: Thursday, 5th June 2025, 18:30 GMT
• Broadcast: Fancode

Team Form and Recent Performances

Surrey

• Current Standings: 1 win, 1 loss, 6th in the South Group
• Net Run Rate: +0.264
• Recent Match: Lost to Somerset by 5 wickets in a tight chase
• Key Players: Jason Roy (opening batter), Ollie Pope (wk-batter), Sam Curran (all-rounder), Chris Jordan (bowler), Nathan Smith (bowler)
• Strengths: Explosive middle order, reliable spin attack, and a balanced bowling unit
• Weakness: Inconsistent top order performance in the last few games

Hampshire

• Current Standings: 1 win, 0 losses
• Net Run Rate: +1.89 (based on recent performance)
• Recent Match: Crushed Essex by 106 runs with a dominant top order and clinical bowling
• Key Players: James Vince (captain), Dewald Brevis (batter), Toby Albert (wk-batter), Liam Dawson (spin all-rounder), Benny Howell (batter-bowler)
• Strengths: Power-packed batting unit, world-class spin bowling, and a well-rounded team structure
• Weakness: Reliance on key players in tight moments

Head-to-Head Stats

• Total Matches: 34
• Hampshire Wins: 12
• Surrey Wins: 19
• No Result: 3

Surrey has the slight historical advantage in this rivalry, but Hampshire has been in excellent form in recent T20 encounters.

Pitch & Weather Conditions

• Pitch: Hard and true, offers good bounce and carry. Slightly slows down in the second innings, aiding spinners.
• Weather: Clear skies, dry, with a gentle breeze.
• Rain Chance: 0%

The pitch at the Oval is generally good for batters, but the second innings sees a slight dip in pace, which could favor spinners like Liam Dawson and Nathan Smith.

Toss Prediction and Strategy

• Toss Winner: Surrey
• Decision: Bowl First
• Reason: The Oval pitch is expected to behave similarly to recent games, where chasing teams have found it slightly easier in the second innings. Surrey’s spin and pace combinations could exploit the slower surface effectively.

Team News & Probable XIs

Surrey

• Probable XI:
  Dom Sibley, Jason Roy, Ollie Pope (wk), Sam Curran (c), Laurie Evans, Nathan Smith, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, Nathan Smith, Daniel Worrall, Yousef Majid

• Key Absentees: None confirmed

• Inclusion: Nathan Smith continues in the pace attack, providing zing with his yorkers.

Hampshire

• Probable XI:
  Toby Albert (wk), James Vince (c), Dewald Brevis, Benny Howell, James Fuller, Joe Weatherley, Liam Dawson, Tom Prest, Chris Wood, Scott Currie, John Turner

• Key Absentees: None confirmed

• Inclusion: Liam Dawson is expected to lead the spin charge, supported by Tom Prest and Chris Wood.

Fantasy (Dream11) Picks

• Captain: James Vince
• Vice-Captain: Sam Curran
• Players to Avoid: Ollie Sykes, Joe Weatherley

Prediction & Favourites

• Favourite: Hampshire
• Reason: With their recent win against Essex and a balanced squad, Hampshire looks in great rhythm. Their top order (Vince, Brevis, Albert) is in form, and Liam Dawson could be the difference-maker.
• Predicted Winner: Hampshire Will Win
• Score Prediction:
  • If Hampshire Bat First: 165/6
  • If Surrey Bat First: 143/8

Key Matchups to Watch

• Jason Roy vs Liam Dawson / Tom Prest: Can Roy counter the spin and anchor the innings?
• James Vince vs Nathan Smith / Chris Jordan: Vince will look to dominate the new ball and set the tone.
• Sam Curran vs Chris Wood / Benny Howell: A battle of all-rounders; Curran needs to contain and contribute with the bat.
• Liam Dawson vs Jason Roy / Ollie Pope: Dawson’s spin will be crucial in the death overs, especially against the Surrey middle order.

Conclusion

This clash promises high-scoring entertainment, with both teams possessing the firepower to post big totals. However, Hampshire, riding on their recent momentum and a well-rounded squad, are slight favorites to come out on top. The Oval pitch and weather conditions are ideal for T20 action, and fans can look forward to a thrilling encounter.

Final Prediction: Hampshire by 7-8 runs ⚡