A spectacular 73 not out by former Proteas batsman Hashim Amla inspired Surrey to a 56-run victory over Kent in one of the quarterfinals of the Vitality Blast on Thursday.
With a spot in Finals Day on the line, Surrey batted first after losing the toss as Amla and opening partner Jason Roy combined for a brilliant 114-run stand for the first wicket.
Roy departed for 56 off 42 deliveries, while Amla kicked on, bringing up a half-century of his own in his typical elegant fashion.
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Amla would carry his bat in an innings that included nine fours and one six, while facing only 53 balls throughout the 20 overs as Surrey posted 169-2.
In reply, the Kent innings was undone by the brilliance of Will Jacks, who starred with the ball with figures of 4-15 in his four overs.
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The Kent batsmen failed to get going with Jack Leaning finishing as the highest run scorer with 34 as they only managed 113-7 in their 20 overs.
Surrey will now face Gloucestershire in the first semi-final of Finals Day at Edgbaston on Saturday after they beat Northamptonshire by 7 wickets on Thursday.
Dane Vilas’ Lancashire and Nottinghamshire will contest the other semifinal for a spot in the final on Saturday after picking up respective victories over Sussex and Leicestershire in Thursday’s other quarterfinals.
