It is a measure of Yorkshire’s success in first-class cricket in recent years that their coaches and players have expressed frustration with their white-ball record.
In 2016, they reached the semi-finals of both the NatWest T20 Blast and the Royal London One-Day Cup. For a side that has acknowledged their focus on County Championship success and has occasionally seemed to let their limited-overs seasons fall by the wayside, this is not a bad record at all. They have, however, not claimed a one-day trophy since 2002.
Considering the resources available to Surrey, especially in recent seasons, it may come as a surprise that they have only emerged triumphant in one white-ball tournament since 2003: the 2011 CB40. For five years, they have been tipped for further honours consistently by pundits and fans, only to disappoint in the final reckoning.
This quarter-final is a replay of last year’s semi, which also took place at Headingley. In that game, Steven Davies anchored Surrey with a brilliant century before Stuart Meaker ripped out Yorkshire’s middle-order and book the south London club a trip north of the river.
The key question then becomes which side is more motivated for this game: will Yorkshire have the impetus, focus and manpower to avenge last season’s defeat, or will Surrey be aching for another chance to dazzle at the home of their local rivals?
Either way, both teams can boast the batting stars of the season: if either or both Gary Ballance or Kumar Sangakkara can fire, these two grand old clubs could witness another battle for the ages.
Key Men
The George Osborne and Ed Balls of this year’s County Championship are undoubtedly Kumar Sangakkara and Gary Ballance. They completely outstrip everyone else in the scoring charts, and both have notched up some impressive contributions in coloured clothing as well.
Both have had fans clamouring for an international return: while Sangakkara is clearly enjoying life post-Sri Lanka, with all of the travel and responsibilities that international stardom entails, Ballance has made no secret that he is desperately working towards an international comeback.
What better way to make the England selectors sit up and watch than by leading your county to the One-Day Cup final?
Team News
Yorkshire are without their five Champions Trophy squad members, and Surrey are bereft of Jason Roy, who is also with England. Jade Dernbach and Tom Curran both return to Surrey after injury and rest respectively.
Yorkshire squad: Gary Ballance (c), Tim Bresnan, Jack Brooks, Karl Carver, Ben Coad, Matthew Fisher, Peter Handscomb (wk), Jack Leaning, Alex Lees, Adam Lyth, Steven Patterson, Azeem Rafiq, Will Rhodes, Matthew Waite.
Surrey squad: Gareth Batty (c), Scott Borthwick, Rory Burns, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Jade Dernbach, Ben Foakes (wk), Mark Footitt, Stuart Meaker, Ollie Pope, Ravi Rampaul, Kumar Sangakkara, Dom Sibley, Mark Stoneman
Form:
Yorkshire: WLWWL
Surrey: AWWLW
Weather and conditions
Some rain early on but there will be enough of a breeze to carry it through quickly and a fine dry afternoon is expected thereafter.
Date: 13th June 2017
Time: 2pm
Ground: Headingley
Odds (SkyBet): Yorkshire 8/11, Surrey 11/10