Paul Walter’s Quickfire Fifty Powers Essex to First Win of the Season in Thriller Against Surrey

Paul Walter’s Quickfire Fifty Powers Essex to First Win of the Season in Thriller Against Surrey

Paul Walter smashed a blistering 55 off just 26 balls to lead Essex to a dramatic final-ball victory over Surrey in a rain-shortened Vitality Blast clash, finally breaking their winless streak in the South Group at the 10th attempt.

Chasing a revised target of 142 in a 12-overs-a-side contest, Essex got off to a flying start, with Walter and Michael Pepper (36 off 15) racing to a 64-run opening stand in just 27 balls. Despite a middle-order wobble triggered by former Essex spinner Adam Zampa (3 for 14), Matt Critchley held his nerve and hit the winning boundary off the final delivery to seal a four-wicket win.

Earlier, after a delayed start due to heavy rain, Surrey posted a challenging 141 for 6. Jason Roy top-scored with 30 off 17, including two towering sixes, while Tom Curran added late impetus with an unbeaten 27 off 11. Sam Curran chipped in with 25, though he was eventually caught off Paul Walter, whose early overs proved expensive.

Luc Benkenstein made an immediate impact for Essex, removing Will Jacks and Dom Sibley inside the powerplay. Matt Critchley then delivered a crucial blow by bowling Roy with a well-disguised googly, and although Laurie Evans (18 off 5) briefly boosted Surrey’s run rate, Mohammad Amir kept things in check before conceding a few at the death.

Needing nearly 12 runs an over, Essex launched their chase with aggression. Pepper set the tone by sweeping and lofting Mitchell Santner for boundaries, while Walter pounded Chris Jordan for back-to-back fours. Zampa’s double-strike — removing Jordan Cox and Benkenstein — brought Surrey back into the game, and Sam Curran struck a key blow by having Walter caught behind.

Still needing 18, Essex lost Charlie Allison (15 off 12) and Simon Harmer, but Critchley (14* off 6) calmly threaded the final ball past a packed infield to give Essex their first win of the 2025 Blast season.

The result leaves Surrey reeling from a surprise defeat, while Essex finally get off the mark — and in thrilling fashion.

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