Yorkshire CCC continued their superb form in the final three games of the domestic T20 campaign, to finish top of their group with seven victories and only one defeat. Their big week of T20 matches was hampered by the rain, as the highly anticipated Roses clash was washed out, abandoned without a ball being bowled on Friday, a day in which the rain certainly prevailed.
Despite the weather, Yorkshire did manage to play on both Thursday and Sunday, each time recording victory, to pip Nottinghamshire to the top place in the group. Thus they progressed through to the quarter finals, where they will play Worcestershire on the 25th July.
Thursday saw a trip to Trent Bridge for Yorkshire Carnegie, as they ventured down the M1 to play Nottinghamshire, in a game which would be instrumental in deciding who would top the group. Yorkshire continued their superb form from the previous week, and eased to a six wicket victory over a strong Nottinghamshire team, with 13 balls to spare. Nottinghamshire won the toss and elected to bat, but were restricted to 148-6 from their twenty overs, despite a sublime 70 from Australian Adam Voges. Yorkshire’s bowlers all put in a solid performance, sharing the wickets, with Mitchell Starc and Richard Pyrah bowling particularly economically.
In response Yorkshire breezed past their total, Australian opener Phil Jacques providing the foundation of their run chase, with an unflappable 58 not out. He was ably supported at the top of the order by Adam Lyth and youngster Joe Root, before Gary Balance sealed the win with an aggressive and unbeaten 26, from only 13 balls. His partnership with Jacques was crucial, after Yorkshire had lost a trio of quick wickets, but together the duo saw Yorkshire safely across the line.
After all the rain on Friday and abandonment of the game against Lancashire, Yorkshire hosted Derbyshire in their final game of the group stages on Sunday. Once more Yorkshire produced a phenomenal batting display, amassing a mammoth total of 180-5, which could have been even larger. Openers Lyth and Jacques batted superbly, crafting an opening stand of 131, before Lyth departed for 71. His innings had included nine fours and two maximums, as he swatted the Derbyshire bowling to all parts of the Headingly ground. He was ably supported by Jacques who scored 64, but after the dismissal of the two openers, Yorkshire lost momentum and fell short of 200, which seemed a highly achievable target.
Nevertheless 180 was well beyond Derbyshire’s reach, as Yorkshire secured a comfortable 21 run victory. Moin Ashraf picked up three wickets and Starc two, whilst leg spinner Adil Rashid bowled tightly, to leave Derbyshire struggling at 99-6. An explosive innings by Rana Naved, who blasted four sixes in his unbeaten 40, coupled with a gutsy knock by Garry Park prevented a heavy defeat, but Derbyshire never threatened the Yorkshire total, as the hosts sauntered to their seventh victory, Derbyshire closing on 159-9 from their twenty overs.
Until their quarter final clash on the 25th July, Yorkshire must change their focus to other formats of the game. They sit fourth in their Clydesdale Bank 40 over group, and have a trip to Chesterfield on the 22nd July, but before that two crucial County Championship clashes lie in wait.
Last year Yorkshire suffered relegation to the second division, and are now looking to bounce back at the first attempt. Currently they sit joint second in the table with Kent, unbeaten in their eight games but with only two wins. Tomorrow they make the trip to the Rose Bowl to play Hampshire, before they face another away trip, this time against Division Two leaders Derbyshire, who they trail by 32 points but have a game in hand on. Both of these games are important in determining the fate of their season, and they will be hoping to continue their momentum from their T20 campaign.