Harris blasts joint-fastest 50 to fire Surrey toward Finals Day

Record-equalling knock Harris blitzed to 50 in just 15 balls, matching his own record for the fastest T20 fifty for Surrey. Surrey’s Finals Day push. The win puts Surrey in a strong position to qualify for T20 Finals Day. The explosive innings gave them a big boost in the standings. It’s another statement performance from Harris and shows Surrey’s batting firepower as the competition reaches the business end. Harris raced to the mark in 15 balls, as she did in New Zealand's Super Smash last year, and also shares the record with Marie Kelly and Fatima Sana. The Australian eventually made 81 off 32 balls, sharing a stand of 78 in just 29 balls with skipper Bryony Smith (54), who passed 50 for the second successive match. "I'm someone who always tries to go from ball one, to be fair," Harris said. "A half-volley is the same as on the first ball as it is on the 10th to me. That is what I've always loved and enjoyed about cricket and that's why I play it." Earlier, Abbey Freeborn hit a half-century in 43 balls, while Charis Pavely (45* from 18) and Nat Wraith (42 from 30) provided the fireworks in what looked a daunting total of 180 for 5, but it proved nowhere near enough. Warwickshire’s fast start Katie George gave the already-eliminated hosts early momentum with two glorious drives for four and a big six off Alice Monaghan. Monaghan hit back immediately though, cleaning up George’s leg stump with a brute of a yorker. That turned out to be Warwickshire’s last breakthrough for a while. Wraith was dropped on 1 after a weak throw and poor backing up. She punished the mistake: pull for six behind square, ramp for four, and a majestic straight six to move into the 40s. She eventually holed out in the deep. Warwickshire are already out, but Wraith’s counter-attack kept them in the fight after the early wicket. Monaghan’s yorker gave Warwickshire hope, but a missed chance let Wraith take control with some big hitting before she fell in the 40s. By now Harris was seeing the ball big clearing the ropes with ease, two sixes in one over from Davis taking her to her record-equaling half-century. By the time Smith holed out for 54, Surrey needed only 56 to win. Harris cleared the ropes twice more and though she departed before the end to a huge ovation, Surrey cruised home with five overs to spare.