YORKSHIRE V DURHAM TWENTY 20

Yorkshire picked up their first Twenty 20 win of the season with a comprehensive nine wicket victory against Durham in a match reduced to nine overs a side. The bowlers again impressed and this time the batsmen finished the job off.

Darren Gough put the visitors into bat and Tim Bresnan got Yorkshire off to a great start bowling his two overs for just nine runs and picking up the wickets of Mustard lbw for 9 and Benkenstein caught behind by Brophy for 7 to leave Durham on 25 for 2. Kiwi Scott Styris played some good shots to make a 21 ball 27 but he was dismissed by left armer David Wainwright 46 for 3. Bowling quite superbly Wainwright helped Yorkshire take complete command. Wickets fell regularly Wainwright sent back Gibson for 3 and Breese for 1 to finish with the excellent figures of 2-0-6-3, the best bowling by Yorkshire in the competition. Jacques Rudolph came on for an over and took the wicket of Ben Harmison. Excellent fielding by Yorkshire accounted for two run outs and Darren Gough brought himself on at the end to take a wicket in his only over. A great Yorkshire performance kept Durham down to 65 for 9.

Yorkshire then batted well to win the game, they never looked in any danger and lost only one wicket; that was Craig White who fell to Steve Harmison but he had made a useful 12 (made off only 6 balls). McGrath and Brophy then finished the job as Yorkshire got home in just 6.5 overs, Brophy 31 not out (21 balls, 5 fours) and McGrath 20 not out (14 balls, 1 four and a six).

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE V YORKSHIRE TWENTY 20

Yorkshire’s faint hope of qualifying for the quarter finals of the Twenty20 Cup ended when they were beaten by Nottinghamshire by four runs at Trent Bridge. This was the Tyke’s best performance in the competition to date, the bowling was again excellent and the batting much improved on the Lancashire effort.

Notts won the toss and batted, Gough and Gillespie bowled good opening spells and both took a wicket each to reduce the home side to 32 for 2 with the dangerous Fleming gone to Gough for 6, Gillespie bowled his four overs straight out taking 1 for 33. The inform Patel and Wagh added impetus to the home side’s innings but it was again David Wainwright who bowled a tight spell, he went for 24 in his four overs and picked up a wicket bowling Wagh for 15. With Pyrah having Patel caught by Gale for 21, Yorkshire started to get on top as Notts were reduced to 70 for four. Hussey and Shafayat then put on a rapid 50 before the part time spin of Rudolph got Hussey for 24 (20 balls). Darren Gough returned to dismiss Shafayat for 31 (23 balls) 127 for 6. Yorkshire quickly rapped up the Notts tail, Rudolph finishing with 3 for 20 in his three overs. Darren Gough took 2 for 17 from three and the home side were all out for 149.

Yorkshire made a poor start to their innings, Brophy and Bresnan both gone with 7 on the board. Yorkshire never really recovered from those early blows. McGrath and White then set about repairing the damage. They put on 40 before White was caught and bowled by Swann for 27. Rudolph then joined McGrath and their partnership of 55 gave Yorkshire a chance. McGrath went through to a half century before falling to Ferley for 55 (44 balls, 3 fours and a six). Chris Gilbert made 12 from 6 balls but it proved not quite enough. Rudlolph was again unbeaten on 35 (31 balls, 2 fours) as Yorkshire closed just short on 145 for 5.

LANCASHIRE V YORKSHIRE TWENTY 20

Lancashire won the toss and chose to bat, Yorkshire struck early when Gough had the dangerous Jayasuriya for 5. What followed proved to be the decisive partnership of the match. Loye and Hodge put on a rapid 65, they were checked in the later stages by Wainwright who bowled a terrific first spell in Twenty 20 cricket. He was unlucky not to have Hodge caught when Pyrah misjudged a skier. Using clever flight he put the home batsman under pressure. Pressure that was maintained by Pyrah who dismissed Loye for 38 (26 balls). Pyrah also got rid of Law and Gough sent back Hodge for 57 (49 balls). Gillespie and Gough bowled superbly in the closing stages and backed up by good fielding Yorkshire restricted the home side to 143 for 9, only Loye and Hodge in double figures. All Yorkshire’s bowlers came out of the innings with great credit; Gillespie 2 for 27, Gough 2 for 32, Pyrah 2 for 25 and most economical of all Wainwright whose four overs went for 22.

Yorkshire never got to grips with the Lancashire total, pace bowlers Newby, Hogg and notably Smith put a check on the Tykes in the early stages, Smith finished with the impressive figures of 3 for 15. Brophy 19 and Bresnan 15 made double figures but the only other batsman to make any contribution was Jacques Rudolph who made a very good 48 not out (38 balls, 3 fours and a six), no one else hung around for long as Yorkshire were bowled out for a paltry 113. Darren Gough could not hide his anger at the way the game was thrown away in his after match interview of Sky.

LEICESTERSHIRE V YORKSHIRE TWENTY 20

Yorkshire’s opening game in the Twenty 20 Competition ended in defeat as they fell thirteen runs short of the target set by defending Champions Leicestershire. Despite the defeat there was enough encouragement in the performance to suggest that Yorkshire still have a good chance of making it to finals day.

Rain at Grace Road saw the game reduced to sixteen overs a side. Jeremy Snape won the toss for the home side and decided to bat. After a good opening over from Gillespie, Leicestershire took command. Henderson hit the ball to all parts before being well caught by Gilbert off Gillespie for a nine ball 17. The key innings for the Foxes came from Ackerman 31 (21 balls) and Allenby 43 (from 33 balls) they shared a partnership of 43. Paul Nixon made 23 (18 balls) and Sadler weighed in with 14 (7 balls) as Leicestershire totalled 154 for 5. Anthony McGrath (1-18) was the most economical bowler for Yorkshire going for only 18 in his three overs. Gillespie (1-36) and Bresnan (2 for 27) were next best going for nine an over each.

This was a testing target but looked well within Yorkshire’s reach as Craig White and Gerard Brophy put up an excellent opening partnership. White in particular, was severe on the Leicester bowlers. The score raced to 57 before White fell for a rapid 31 (14 balls, 5 fours and a six). McGrath then went first ball lbw to Masters. Brophy continued to play well and Younus Khan settled in, they took the score to 81 before Younus Khan was dismissed for 15. While Brophy remained Yorkshire had every chance but his fine innings came to an end on 92 when he was bowled by Henderson. Brophy made 44 (32 balls, 7 fours). The Foxes skipper then effectively clinched victory for the home side with a hatrick, he sent back Bresnan, Rudolph and Pyrah, taking 3 for 6 in the one over he bowled. Chris Gilbert tried to get Yorkshire back into the game and nearly did so with 22 (8 balls, 2 fours and 2 sixes) but it wasn’t quite enough and Yorkshire’s innings ended on 141 for 9.

YORKSHIRE V SUSSEX - DAY 4

Younus Khan and Jacques Rudolph started solidly for Yorkshire in difficult conditions. Younus Khan moved to 31 before being dismissed by Martin-Jenkins. Hopes of Yorkshire pushing the score a long more quickly were dashed by a rare failure for Brophy who went to Mushtaq for 0. Rudolph batted well and made a 134 ball 46 before falling to Naved. A good partnership from Rashid 49 not out and Bresnan 27 not out followed up to the Yorkshire declaration at 284 for6.

Yorkshire struck early when Sussex batted, Gillespie and Kruis took a wicket each to reduce the visitors to 15 for 2. They had moved to 57 for 2 when rain effectively ended the game as a draw.

YORKSHIRE V SUSSEX - DAY 3

In contrast to day two Gillespie and Kruis bowled tightly and Gillespie got his reward when he struck early, clean bowling Montgomerie. Gillespie then struck having Nash caught by White for 28, 52 for 2. Yardey and Goodwin appeared to be building a partnership. Amjal Shahzad replaced Gillespie, he dropped one short to Goodwin who hooked high and was caught in the deep by Sayers for 7 reducing Sussex to 77 for 3 and bringing Chris Adams to the crease. Yardy had played solidly for Sussex and moved to 20 but then he became Bresnan's first victim when he had him caught at short midwicket by Craig White.

A good start to the afternoon session for Yorkshire with Gillespie getting rid of Hodd caught at slip by Rudolph, 99 for 5. Robin Martin-Jenkins went on the attack and made 16 (23 balls) before he fell to Kruis. Shahzad got rid of Wright and then Bresnan got the vital wicket of Adams who he had caught behind for 29. Bowling a good spell Shahzad wrapped the innings up taking the wickets of Naved and Lewry with successive balls. Sussex were all out for 141 a first innings lead of 2. Shahzad had career best figures of 4 for 22 and Bresnan took 2 for 14 from an accurate 9 overs.

Yorkshire reached 9 before loosing the first wicket of their second innings, Sayers for 3, lbw to Lewry. Craig White and Anthony McGrath then dug in to take Yorkshire to 37 for 1. During the evening session White and McGrath put on the best batting of the match so far, conditions did ease but they both played exceptionally well and took command as the session progressed. They put on the first half century stand of the match, both moved into the 40's and then skipper McGrath went through to the first fifty of the match. White got to within one of his fifty when Lewry returned to the attack and got him to nick to keeper Hodd (142 balls, 4 fours). Their partnership was worth 103. McGrath was on 58 (136 balls, 8 fours) when he was run out. Yorkshire closed on 129 for 3, Younus 12 not out and Rudolph not yet off the mark. Yorkshire go into the final day with a lead of 127.

YORKSHIRE V SUSSEX - DAY 2

Play was held up to the afternoon session, when it got underway Sussex won the toss and inserted Yorkshire. The visitors got off to a fine start when Lewry had Craig White caught by Montgomerie for 0 and things soon got much worse for Yorkshire, Naved sent back McGrath for 9 then Lewry struck again to send back Younus Khan for 1 to leave Yorkshire on 16 for 3. Naved was then back into the act forcing Rudolph to give a catch to keeper Hodd for 0, the Tykes in dire straights at 17 for 4. Joe Sayers hat battled away at the other end watching the carnage but he was then next to go, trapped lbw to Naved for 2 (44 balls) as Yorkshire slipped to 26 for 5. Brophy joined Adil Rashid and they put together the only partnership of note. Both players adopted a positive attitude and they put on 51 together before Martin-Jenkins nailed Rashid lbw for 22 (38 balls, 4 fours). 4 runs later and it was the end of Brophy for 30 (44 balls, 3 fours) falling to Mushtaq. Bresnan and Gillespie soon went reducing Yorkshire to 95 for 9. The last pair Amjal Shahzad and Deon Kruis put togther a valuable 44 before Kruis fell to Mushtaq for 17. Shahzad left unbeaten with the innings top score 32 (49 balls, 6 fours). Yorkshire all out for 139. All the Sussex bowlers came out with great credit; Naved 3 for 34, Mushtaq 3 for 40 and Martin-Jenkins 2 for 20.

In the eight over of the Sussex innings before the close they moved rapidly to 40 for 0.

YORKSHIRE V SUSSEX - DAY 1

No play rain.

YORKSHIRE V SUSSEX - PREVIEW

Leaders Yorkshire take on second placed Sussex in what should be a thriller at Headingley.

Anthony McGrath leads Yorkshire in the absence of injured skipper Darren Gough. Brophy returns behind the stumps in place of Guy and Shazad comes into the side in place of the injured skipper.

team: White, Sayers, McGrath, Younus Khan, Rudolph, Brophy, Rashid, Bresnan, Shazad, Gillespie & Kruis.

Sussex are led by Chris Adams and Yorkshire fans will be looking forward to welcoming him to Headingley. Adams of course agreed to join Yorkshire as captain during the summer only to change his mind and return to Sussex. The visitors have a strong bowling attack, the Pakistani pair of spinner Mushtaq Ahmed and quick bowler Naved. All rounder Robin Martin-Jenkins also picks up his share of wickets. Murray Goodwin, Adams himself and Richard Montgomerie have all been in the runs this season.

YORKSHIRE V NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

Northants won the toss and batted and their opening pair of Stephen Peters and Uzman Afzaal dominated proceedings. Matthew Hoggard bowled tightly early on but they were rarely troubled. All of the Yorkshire attack went at over five an over as the pair put on a massive 214 both players making three figures. Yorkshire eventually broke through when Shahzad had Peters caught by White for a career best 107 (116 balls, 11 fours). Skipper McGrath trapped Sales for a rapid 20 (16 balls) before Afzaal's fine innings came to an end when Matthew Hoggard had him taken by White for a brilliant 132 (144 balls, 15 fours & 1 six). Like Peters this was also a career best effort. Wessles weighed in with some lusty blows making 16 as the Northants innings closed on 314 for 4. For Yorkshire most enconomical of their bowlers was spinner David Wainwright who went for 32 in his six overs.

Yorkshire's reply started poorly. Matthew Wood falling for a duck and Rudolph went for 6 as Yorkshire were reduced to 11 for 2. With rain interupting play Yorkshire were chasing a Duckworth/Lewis target of 119 in 21 overs. They lost no further wickets getting to that target. Anthony McGrath continuing his fine form making 62 not out (60 balls, 8 fours) and the returning Gerrard Brophy 45 not out (47 balls, 6 fours). There unbroken partnership stood at 108 when victory came.

YORKSHIRE V NORTHAMPTONSHIRE - PREVIEW

This game is a dead rubber as neither side can make it to the semi-finals. With Darren Gough injured Yorkshire may be tempted to give some fringe players and outing and after featuring in the One Day squad throughout the summer there should be a first outing for the Corridor sponsored David Wainwright.

Northants have ex Yorkshire spinner Richard Dawson in their ranks, so it would be good to see the popular Dawson in action against his former county. David Sales and Uzman Afzaal are the linch pins of the visitors batting, sales is averaging 96 in the competition. Northants also have in their ranks the explosive South African Lance Klusener who is always a threat in the limited over game.

KENT V YORKSHIRE - DAY 4

A great start to the day for Yorkshire with Gillespie getting Van Jaarsveld with no addition to the overnight score. It then got even better when Kruis got rid of Robert Key caught by Younus Khan for 84 (179 balls, 9 fours. At 173 for 3 Yorkshire were on top. It then got even better when Tim Bresnan took two wickets in an over, first Stevens caught by Sayers for 14 and then Dexter taken by keeper Simon Guy for 0. At 201 for 5 victory looked in site. That was as good as it got for the Tykes as they were help up by James Tredwell, the left hander went into the match with a First Class average of 19 and a top score 61. 303 minutes later when the game ended as a draw he was 116 not out (233 balls, 14 fours). Amazingly the broken fingured Darren Gough came back to bowl and took a wicket, Jones for 15, to give Yorkshire a bit of hope but an unbeaten half century from Andrew Hall ensured that Kent closed the game out as a draw, finishing on 383 for 6. All Yorkshire's bowlers bowled tightly, Gillespie's 2 for 82 was the pick. Rashid was wicketless but accurately going for only 77 in 35 overs.

KENT V YORKSHIRE - DAY 3

Yorkshire started day three looking for quick wickets but these didn't materialise as Key and Dexter continued their good partnership. Then came the first breakthrough and it was the vital wickets of Robert Key who was dismissed lbw by Gillespie for a well made 62 (154 balls, 6 fours) 141 for 4. As often happens after a good partnership the other partner soon follows and at 145 Darren Gough sent back Dexter for 34 with the help of a Younus Khan catch. Yorkshire looked to wrap up the Kent innings but they were held up by England reject Jones and the South African Andrew Hall. They put on 126 before Darren Gough again got the breakthrough. He trapped Hall lbw for 77 (89 balls, 13 fours. Gough ensured the tail didn't wag by getting Arafat for 4 and McLaren for 0, both bowled. Tim Bresnan then picked up his first wicket of the innings as Jones was caught by Guy to be last out for 61. Kent all out 292. Gough in his best spell since returning played a real captains part taking 6 for 47.

Kent followed on 259 runs behind and they got an early wicket when Kruis had caught be keeper Guy for 9, 14 for 1. In the absence of the injured Gough, skipper Key and Van Jaarsveld dug in, Key completed a second fifty of the match. The pair fought back strongly in the evening session and Kent closed on 149 for 1. Key on 72 and Van Jaarsveld 56.

KENT V YORKSHIRE - DAY 2

A good morning for Yorkshire, Sayers and Rudolph continued to bat well, Rudolph playing some fine shots including hitting spinner Tredwell for six. Sayers went past 150 and the partnership moved onto 87 when McLaren, pick of the Kent bowlers on the first day, had Rudolph caught behind by Jones for 43 (85 balls, 4 fours and a six). Joe Sayers continued to look immovable and had a double century in site, Spinner Tredwell then induced an error and he was caught by Robert Key for a career best 187 (379 balls with 25 fours). Rashid and Bresnan took Yorkshire to lunch at 436 for 5. Adil Rashid played some nice shots making a good 50, he then moved to 54 before being caught by Key off Stevens, there was then a good little cameo from Simon Guy 25 from 22 balls before he was well caught also off Stevens. Bresnan kept the score board moving. Darren Gough went quickly for 6 but Tim Bresnan went on an completed a half century before Yorkshire's declaration on 551 for 8 which came half an hour before tea.

Early Kent wickets fell in the period up to tea as Darren Gough struck a double blow sending back Denly lbw for 10 and then following up having Van Jaarsveld caught behind for a duck. 12 for 2. Tredwell and Key then steadied the innings with a partnership of 43. Kruis was introduced into the attack and struck immediately having Tredwell lbw for 16. He then forced Stevens to give a catch to Simon Guy for 4, 65 for 4, all wickets taken so far from the Railway end of the ground. Kent skipper Robert Key was batting well at the other end relatively untroubled. He found an able partner in Dexter and despite some tight bowling from Tim Bresnan the pair put together a 43 run partnership which saw Kent end the day on 116 for 4, 435 runs behind. Key has completed his half century.

KENT V YORKSHIRE - DAY 1

Yorkshire won the toss and batted. They got of to a decent start and moved to 52 before loosing Craig White for 21. McGrath and Sayers batted well up to lunch, Sayers typically solid, McGrath playing nicely. The pair went onto the attack in the afternoon session, Sayers was far more positive and mid-way through the afternoon moved his strike rate into the 40's, it had been in the 20's before lunch. The pair batted superbly throughout the afternoon and after tea both went through to their centuries. The partnership was worth 203 when McGrath fell to Andrew Hall for exactly 100 (223 balls with 12 fours). Younus Khan went cheaply for 7 but Joe Sayers, not for the first time this season, has batted throughout the day to make a maginificant 137 (297 balls, 19 fours). Rudolph is unbeaten at the close on 19. Yorkshire have finished the day on a very impressive 310 for 3.

KENT V YORKSHIRE - PREVIEW

Despite not having a game in the last round of matches Yorkshire have remained top of the table and following their first Championship defeat of the season against Durham will be keen to get back to winning ways against an in form Kent side. Yorkshire take a squad of 13 down to Tunbridge Wells with Adam Lyth and Steve Patterson added to the likely starting 11.

Squad: White, Sayers, McGrath, Younus Khan, Rudolph, Rashid, Bresnan, Guy, Gough, Gillespie, Kruis, Patterson and Lyth.

Kent go into the game on top of a convincing win over Surrey. There young opener Joe Denley is enjoying a fine season. Geraint Jones is back in form with the bat having made a ton last time out and batsman Robert Key is as reliable as ever. There bowling is led by the Pakistani Yasir Arafat who has made a good start to the season.

YORKSHIRE V DURHAM

Durham won the toss and chose to bat. Yorkshire got an early wicket when the dangerous Di Venuto was run out by a direct hit from Pyrah for 8. Gough and Gillespie bowled good opening spells but the in form Smith and Mustard took the score to 49 before Kruis dismissed Smith. Mustard played some fine shots and kept the score board ticking over swiftly. Kruis and Bresnan proved to be expensive and it was left to Younus Khan's left arm spin to get Yorkshire back into the game. He dismissed Collingwood and then bowled Mustard for 77 (94 balls, 10 fours & a six). Durham stood at 141 for 4 but New Zealand International Scott Styris was in the process of playing a decisive innings. Pyrah got Benkenstein for 22 and Gough sent back Coetzer for 2 but Styris was playing shots all round the wicket. Breese made 18 from 16 balls but the honours belonged to Styris who fell to Gough with the last ball of the innings 98 (85 balls, 8 fours and 2 sixes). Durham closed on 266 for 8. Darren Gough 3 for 46, there were good spells from Pyrah, Younus Khan and Gillespie (who was not bowled out). Kruis went for over six and over and Bresnan over nine an over.

When Yorkshire batted once again it was Ottis Gibson who proved to be the thorn in their side and his opening spell all but clinched the game for Durham. He sent back Rudolph, White and Vaughan to reduce Yorkshire to 25 for 3. Younus Khan made 20 and Richard Pyrah 15 but it was only when Tim Bresnan joined Anthony McGrath that Yorkshire put together a partnership of substance. McGrath, continuing his excellent limited over form was playing spendidly but received little support until Bresnan weighed in with 33 (43 balls) in a partnership of 73. McGrath went through to a brilliant 100 before being 8th out for that score (102 balls, 10 fours & 2 sixes). Yorkshire's lower order were blown away and they were all out for 213 in the 46 over, a Durham win by 53 runs. Gibson took 3 for 48 and Collingwood 2 for 17.

YORKSHIRE V DURHAM - PREVIEW

Yorkshire take on top of the table Durham in a game they must win if they are to keep alive their slim hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals. Everything is in place for a great game.

The Tykes have named the same squad that beat Derbyshire plus Michael Vaughan. The only change in the side likely is the inclusion of Vaughan at the expense of either Andrew Gale or Craig White. However is left out will be unlucky as both players did well at Derby. It seems unlikely there will be any changes in the bowling attack that performed so well against Derbyshire unless injury plays a part.

Squad: White, Rudolph, McGrath, Younus Khan, Gale, Pyrah, Bresnan, Guy, Gough, Gillespie, Kruis, Wainwright & Vaughan.

Durham are in great form at the moment and thrashed Worcestershire on Friday. They are strengthtened by the inclusion of England's Paul Collingwood and the recently arrived New Zealand International Scott Styris. Ottis Gibson who has a great record against Yorkshire will be looking to put in another good performance against them.

Squad: Di Venuto, Mustard, Smith, Coetzer, Collingwood, Benkenstein, Styris, Breese, Gibson, Davies, Killeen, Onions & Park.