Surrey 2026 One Day Cup Preview
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Written by Dan Clark
2025 Review:
League Position: 6th in Group A
Top Runscorer: Ollie Sykes - 338 runs
Top Wicket Taker: Yousef Majid - 9 wickets
Top Points Scorer: Ollie Sykes - 875 points
Surrey, as per most years, were without their usual superstars for the duration of the One Day Cup campaign last time about, with the focus on developing their younger talents more prominent than for other counties. There were however, some clear bright spots, despite finishing sixth in the Group A table. The most notable was Adam Thomas’ brilliant 162 in a total of 389 against Derbyshire, supported by a hundred from Ollie Sykes, who led the team in runs across the competition.
The inexperienced bowling attack struggled however, with no bowler reaching double digit wickets across the duration of the campaign. Surrey were also on the wrong end of the largest defeat of the campaign, losing by 244 runs to Essex after Curtis Campher’s blitzing innings. There were bright spots however, with youngsters Alex French and James Taylor, who featured on loan for Kent this season, contributing with the ball.
Surrey 2026 One Day Cup Preview - Fantasy Cricket Banker, Wildcard & Young Gun
Surrey will once again be without their long list of internationals, past and present, for this competition, with the likes of Lawrence, Overton, Topley and both Curran brothers all signed up for the Hundred. Most significantly to their One Day Cup squad, however, was the signing of last year’s top scorer Ollie Sykes in the Hundred. This will mean Surrey will likely be fielding a near enough entire second string team, through no fault of their own.
This will lead to opportunity for the likes of Ralphie Albert, grandson of snooker legend Jimmy White, to further develop as a future first team player across the competition. Alongside Albert, Adam Thomas has had a run in the County Championship side this season, and he’ll be set to feature alongside potentially, a returning Ben Foakes, who would be a huge boost for the side, providing key veteran experience.
Banker: Rory Burns
The former England opener has not enjoyed the most successful start to his County Championship campaign, but still is full of class and poise. Despite only averaging eighteen last season, Burns maintains a strong List A average across his career of just under 30, and will look to utilise his unique technique to allow the likes of Thomas and Patel to play their natural, aggressive game. Burns has displayed his reliability at the domestic level, and could be key for any Surrey success.
Wildcard: Ryan Patel
Patel is one of the fringe members of Surrey’s First Class squads, but has the talent to be a regular starter elsewhere. One of the few senior members of the squad without a Hundred contract, Patel missed part of last year’s competition through injury, and is set to return to play a key role for the much different Surrey side this campaign. A true all-rounder, Patel may be required to help an inexperienced bowling unit over the duration of the season, so look to him as another player who can score points across all areas of the game.
Young Gun: Ralphie Albert
All-Rounder Ralphie Albert is another cab off the rank when it comes to Surrey’s illustrious academy. The current England Under 19 international made his First Class debut in the last game of the 2025 season, a victory over Hampshire, and has continued to impress at international youth level. Capable as both a right handed batter and a left arm spinner, Albert is a name to watch out for, both for the future and for the upcoming campaign, and certainly get used to hearing about his famous grandfather!
Potential Starting XI:
R Burns
D Sibley
A Thomas
R Patel
N Gorantla
B Foakes
J Blake
R Albert
N Barnwell
S Stuart-Reckling
Y Majid
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