Pietersen hits 52 on return as Surrey beat Essex - as it happened

Summary

Surrey beat Essex by 10 runs
Kevin Pietersen out for 52 on return for Surrey
Pietersen did not field after suffering a calf strain while batting
The former England batsman had not played in England since June 2015

Live Reporting

Alex Winter

Pietersen takes the headlinespublished at 21:37 British Summer Time 19 July 2017
Surrey 150-9 beat Essex 140-7 by 10 runs
Image source, Rex Features
It's a significant result in the South Group table. Surrey bounce back from consecutive defeats to pick up a third win in five games and move up to third in the table with the second London derby to come on Friday night, back at the Oval.
Essex have slipped into a hole and with just one win from five matches will do well to qualify for the quarter-finals from here. They travel to Hampshire on Friday.
But the headline writers have got what they wanted at the Oval tonight as Kevin Pietersen plays a match-winning knock on his return to English cricket. Goodnight.
Surrey 150-9 beat Essex 140-7 by 10 runspublished at 21:27 British Summer Time 19 July 2017
A low-scoring thriller at the Oval. This game played on the same wicket where 205 wasn't enough for Surrey against Kent - tonight 150 is good enough against Essex. Did not see that coming at half-time but in both innings, scoring became very difficult.
'Pietersen made the difference'published at 21:25 British Summer Time 19 July 2017
Mark Church
BBC Radio London commentator
Both sides have bowled brilliantly at each other but Kevin Pietersen was the only batsman to get runs on the board.
That has been the difference between the two sides.
Surrey win by 10 runspublished at 20 overs
Tom Curran sees the game out easily and Surrey have pulled off a remarkable win defending just 150.
Image source, Rex Features
WICKET Foster c Finch b Tom Curran 6published at 19.5 overs
And that will do it for Surrey. James Foster swinging for all he's worth and Aaron Finch takes the catch at long-on to end Essex's hopes.
Essex need 12 from two ballspublished at 19.4 overs
James Foster swings a boundary that almost carries for six. Two maximums needed now.
Essex need 17 from four ballspublished at 19.2 overs
Just singles from the first two balls - are Surrey home?
Essex need 19 from the final overpublished at 19 overs
A yorker to finish from Jade Dernbach and he's done well, handing over 19 for Tom Curran to defend in the final over - he defended 10 in the game at Chelmsford.
Essex need 22 from nine ballspublished at 18.3 overs
Four more from Ryan ten Doeschate. A top-edge skips away to the fine leg fence.
Essex chasing 151 to beat Surreypublished at 18.2 overs
Image source, Rex Features
Jade Dernbach's final over and Ryan ten Doeschate finds a badly-needed boundary over extra-cover. He has to be the man to win this for Essex now.
Essex 121-6 need another 30 to beat Surrey 150-9published at 18 overs
Image source, Rex Features
Outstanding stuff from Tom Curran and is this now beyond Essex with 30 to get from just 12 balls? They have to leave at least below 20 to win from the final over.
WICKET Zaidi b Tom Curran 8published at 17.5 overs
Essex 120-6 v Surrey 150-9
Slower ball from Tom Curran - he's excellent with the change-ups - and it totally deceives Ashar Zaidi who's cleaned up.
Essex chasing 151 to beat Surreypublished at 17.3 overs
Tom Curran to bowl two of the final three overs and he starts well with just three singles from the first three balls.
Surrey in the box seat?published at 21:08 British Summer Time 19 July 2017
Nick Gledhill
BBC Essex
I fancy Surrey to win it from here but a lot depends on these two batsmen for Essex because of the way the pitch is playing and the fact Surrey have bowled well.
Essex 117-5 need another 34 to beat Surrey 150-9published at 17 overs
Image source, Rex Features
The big-swinging Ashar Zaidi arrives and he finds a boundary with a clip to long-leg. Better over for Essex with nine from it but it's still 34 needed from 18 balls.
Essex 108-5 need another 43 to beat Surrey 150-9published at 16 overs
Having broken that important stand, I think Surrey will now be confident of defending this now. Another Tom Curran crucial final over anyone?
WICKET Bopara c Finch b Dernbach 24published at 15.4 overs
Essex 107-5 chasing 151 to beat Surrey
Image source, Rex Features
Big wicket for Surrey. Essex would have wanted more from Ravi Bopara. He lifted Jade Dernbach over extra-cover first ball of the over but then holes out to long-on.
Essex 101-4 need another 50 to beat Surrey 150-9published at 15 overs
Like the first innings, boundaries are hard to come by and Ravi Bopara and Ryan ten Doeschate need to think differently about how to get these remaining 50 runs. 30 balls in which to do so.
Tight finish on the cards?published at 20:55 British Summer Time 19 July 2017
Mark Church
BBC Radio London commentator
I think we're in for a tight finish. This has all the makings of a low-scoring thriller because scoring seems to be becoming harder the further we get into each innings.
Essex 93-4 need another 58 to beat Surrey 150-9published at 14 overs
Just four runs from Gareth Batty's final over - 2-19 for him - and Surrey have suddenly nudged the asking rate to nine and a half from the final six overs. Tough ask.