Marcus Hook’s Surrey CCC column: Hampshire look to be main rivals as our odds shorten on County Championship title win
Surrey are now odds on to win the County Championship. Hampshire defended 152 against a powerful-looking Lancashire side to be crowned Vitality Blast champions. Surrey beat Yorkshire with three balls to spare to remain 15 points clear at the top of the championship. Four of cricket's leading overseas stars will miss the conclusion of The Hundred due to Australia's ODI series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand. Ben Stokes has also withdrawn from the competition. The tournament delivered more entertainment this year than ever before. It has been an unforgettable week in the world of Cricket.
Josh Blake was awarded his first contract by Surrey. The 23-year-old from Sutton dropped out of the club's academy at the age of 16. He turned his disappointment into a positive by accepting a role with Surrey's community programmes.
