Friday 28 August 2015 08:44, UK
Matt Coles smashed a remarkable 73-ball 100 to give Surrey a huge fright before they clinched a dramatic 17-run victory against Kent in an unforgettable Royal London One-Day Cup quarter-final at The Oval.
Coles, coming in with his side 101-7 in pursuit of a Duckworth-Lewis adjusted 251, finally fell when he skied Tim Curran in the 38th over to leave Kent 233 all out - 18 runs short.
As Surrey's players celebrated, Coles, whose previous highest score in the format was 47, slumped distraught over his bat.
Before his pyrotechnics, as Surrey struggled with a wet ball as the clock ticked well past 10pm, Jason Roy's 112 and a new-ball burst by Sam Curran had spearheaded the home side's effort.
An 80-minute rain stoppage did Kent no favours in their reply, but they were already 22-2 from 7.4 overs in reply to Surrey's 273 all out when the weather meant they were left needing a total of 251 from 40 overs - an increase in required run-rate from 5.95 per over to 7.08.
Tom Curran then bowled both Fabian Cowdrey (7) and Sam Northeast (23) before Zafar Ansari had Sam Billings stumped for three with just his second ball to leave Kent flailing at 49-5.
That became 101-7 after Alex Blake and James Tredwell fell, prompting Darren Stevens to hit an enterprising 35-ball 37, but when he nicked behind at 140, it was left to Coles to put on an incredible display.
He lost Mitch Claydon at 169, but totally dominated a last-wicket stand of 64 in 7.4 overs with Matt Hunn, who faced just five balls for his one not out only to fall just short.
Earlier, Roy hit 13 fours and a six in a 116-ball innings that took his competition run-tally for the season to 400 at an average of 50.
Burns, with 42 from 50 balls, gave him good support as they added 97 in 16 overs but Kent's bowlers put in a disciplined performance overall with Tredwell, Coles and Claydon impressing with three wickets apiece.
Both Roy and Burns fell in quick succession to prevent them posting a larger score. Roy was brilliantly held low down by Blake off Tredwell and Burns fell in the
next, bowled leg stump by Coles.
From 198-4 only Zafar Ansari, with 35, made any sort of score as Surrey lost their last eight wickets for 81 runs, but despite Coles' heroics, it proved enough to set up a home semi-final tie against Nottinghamshire.
