Cameron Delport crashes 38-ball hundred as Essex crush Surrey

Cameron Delport smashed an astonishing 129 from only 49 balls as Essex crushed Surrey by 52 runs in their Vitality Blast battle at Chelmsford that had been reduced to 15 overs per side because of a rain delay.

It was carnage and had the crowd repeatedly taking evasive action as a torrent of sixes rained down upon them. In all Delport cleared the ropes on 14 occasions while recording the fastest century in the competition by an Essex player.

He reached three figures from only 38 deliveries but was not the only one that had the spectators ducking for cover as Essex ran up a remarkable 226 for 4.

Dan Lawrence joined in the big-hitting spectacular with an unbeaten 57 from 22 balls that included six sixes and two fours. He reached his half-century from just 17 deliveries while creating another slice of Essex history. It was the fastest 50 for the county in the competition and with Delport added 135 in only seven overs.

Delport walked off to a standing ovation after being caught on the long-on boundary off Jade Durnbach, the only Surrey bowler who emerged with decent figures. His permitted three overs went for only 21 while in complete contrast Tom Curran conceded 63 in his permitted three overs while being hammered for six sixes and five fours.

Surrey needed something bordering on the miraculous if they were to make a fight of it and Will Jacks very briefly suggested the impossible might be achieved. He smashed four successive fours in Shane Snater's opening over and then dispatched the first two deliveries from Matt Quinn for six.

But in the same over, one which proved remarkable, he was caught at midwicket by Ravi Bopara. That was the first of three wickets that Quinn collected in the space of four deliveries as Surrey crashed to 32 for 4. Sam Curran was caught behind while Ben Foakes was caught in the deep. Adam Zampa then weighed in with the dismissal of Rikki Clarke, the third duck of the innings as the visitors lurched from one disaster to another.

Aaron Finch who watched the demise of his colleagues at the other end did his best to give the Surrey innings a hint of respectability by making 40 from 19 balls, that included two sixes and four fours, before he was bowled by Bopara.

Tom Curran's night to forget was compounded by him scoring only four runs before he became a victim of Snater.

Rory Burns and Jordan Clark also tried bravely whilst scoring 47 not out and 45 respectively at better than a run a ball as they posted a partnership of 79 in seven overs late in the innings but it was not enough to save Surrey from their first defeat at the hands of Essex in five matches in the competition, as their innings closed on 174 for 7.