Gloucestershire (above) held their nerve to snatch a dramatic six-run victory over Surrey at Lord's on Saturday © Getty Images
Gloucestershire (above) held their nerve to snatch a dramatic six-run victory over Surrey at Lord’s on Saturday © Getty Images

London: Jade Dernbach‘s six-wicket haul was in vain and Sri Lanka‘s Kumar Sangakkara was denied an English one-day cup final triumph as Gloucestershire held their nerve to snatch a dramatic six-run victory over Surrey at Lord’s on Saturday. Chasing 221 to win, Surrey looked on course to hoist the trophy thanks to 60 from veteran Sri Lanka batsman Sangakkara and 56 from Rory Burns in a third-wicket century stand. Instead, two wickets fell to David Payne in the final over, with teenager Sam Curran and Surrey captain Gareth Batty dismissed as the victory was sealed with three balls left after Surrey collapsed from 214-7 to 214 all out.

Jack Taylor’s contribution with ball and bat ultimately proved decisive as he took three wickets after smashing 35 from 26 balls.  Taylor’s efforts helped ensure a memorable farewell for team-mate Geraint Jones, whose 64-ball half-century in his final match was also significant in Gloucestershire’s 220 all out. The defeat was especially hard on Surrey bowler Jade Dernbach however as he had taken a career-best 6-35, including a hat-trick as he dismissed Jones, Craig Miles and then Payne.

Earlier, former England off-spinner and Gloucestershire player Richard Dawson said the final against Surrey in the Royal One-Day Cup at Lord’s is a once-in-a career opportunity for the players.  “It’s a once-in-a-career opportunity,” declared Dawson. “There are some very good players who never get the chance to play in a Lord’s final with their county. We might have a lot of fairly young lads in our team, but you cannot guarantee that they will have another opportunity like this in their careers. Lord’s finals do not come along very often.”