SUSSEX V YORKSHIRE TWENTY 20

For the first time in the competition Yorkshire’s bowlers were put to the sword and despite a brave batting effort Sussex’s 193 for 5 was always going to be too big to overhaul so for the second year in succession Yorkshire got out at the quarter-finals stage.

Nash, Goodwin and Wright gave the home side a great start as Bresnan and Gillespie were both hit to all parts in the early overs, Nash made 24 (18 balls) and he shared an opening partnership of 54 with Murray Goodwin before he fell to the only bowler who was able to apply the brake, David Wainwright. Wainwright has probably been the find of the competition and he finished with the creditable figures of 4-0-20-1. Murray Goodwin was next to go with the score on 125 for 57 (49 balls) he was well caught be Gough of Pyrah. For once Jacques Rudolph, whose bowling has played a major part for Yorkshire, was well an truly collared, his 3 overs going for 29. Luke Wright smashed the ball to all parts making 45 (27 balls) before he fell to Younus Khan who took two wickets but went for 32 in three overs. Hopes of Yorkshire slowing Sussex in the closing stages were dashed by Mushtaq Ahmed who hit 20 from 7 balls. Sussex closed on 193 for 5.

For Yorkshire to get back into it somebody had to play a spectacular innings and it looked as if Craig White might do so as he played some great shots in racing to 45 from 27 balls with 7 fours and a six. He fell to one of the two Sussex spinners Saqlain and when he was dismissed Yorkshire’s hopes were virtually ended. Younus Khan 40 (30 balls) and Jacques Rudolph 21 (13 balls) brought Yorkshire back into contention but when they fell to Kirtley and Naved Yorkshire innings faded and they were all out in the last over for 155, going down by 38 runs. Naved’s 3 for 26 was the best bowling in the match.