Will Jacks leads Surrey to fifth win in a row

At the Kia Oval, Surrey defeated Middlesex by 75 runs, their fifth win in a row, led by Will Jacks' stunning 97. The England allrounder, not required for Test duty against India, nevertheless reminded the selectors of his batting prowess, pummelling five sixes and 10 fours in a 56-ball masterclass. With two wickets each, Middlesex's attack was led by Noah Cornwell and Ryan Higgins. Middlesex were never in it in reply, subsiding to 119 all out, New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner taking 3-25. It was a sobering watch for new Seaxes head coach Dane Vilas, who will officially take charge ahead of the County Championship clash with Northamptonshire on Sunday. The one concern for the hosts was the loss of Chris Jordan, who left the field apparently concussed after a heavy fall attempting a catch. Before hitting the first of his five sixes from a clip over long leg, Jacks sent the match's first ball over the fence. A daring golf swing into the crowd at long-off caused a brief pause, and after Cornwell dropped him at deep fine leg, he was saved by another vicious pull over square leg from Tom Helm, which sent him into the 90s. There would be no hundred as he holed out going for the century in the grand manner, one of three wickets in four balls for Helm but this was scintillating stuff. While the hosts were 95 for 2 at halftime and 66 without a loss after the powerplay, Middlesex's players came and went. Kane Williamson, fresh from his 50 against Essex 24 hours earlier, ramped, paddled drove and cut Reece Topley for four boundaries in his second over to launch the chase, but the former New Zealand Test skipper fell in the next over, slapping Tom Curran straight to Jason Roy at cover. Max Holden picked up the baton with fours to long leg and third, but perished attempting to sweep Mitchell Santner over the long boundary, while Ben Geddes, returning to face his former county, survived two vehement appeals for catches behind later in the same over, but left without scoring in the next trying to go over extra cover. Stephen Eskinazi's torturous innings of less than a run a ball ended when he was bowled by Santner and Joe Cracknell in his first game in the tournament this season quickly came and went.