So agonisingly close to lifting the trophy, yet still so far away. That is the story of Yorkshire’s Twenty20 campaign this year, as they fell at the final hurdle, succumbing to Hampshire in a thrilling final which appeared in the balance going into the penultimate over. Yet it was not to be as Hampshire salvaged the situation after a sterling Yorkshire fight back, running through the Yorkshire later order to secure a ten run success, and break the hearts of the Yorkshire CCC supporters.
Yorkshire had enjoyed by far their most successful T20 campaign in their history during 2012, and reaching finals day was a superb achievement. Hopes were high that the northern county would return from the Swalec Stadium with silverware, especially after demolishing Sussex in the first semi-final. Yet those dreams were then crushed by Hampshire who lifted the trophy for the second time, following on from their victory in 2010.
Both the semi-finals and final were played on the same day, and the morning started with Yorkshire cruising to a 36 run victory over much fancied Sussex. England duo Tim Bresnan and Jonny Bairstow boosted an already strong Yorkshire outfit, and it was the latter that shone in the semi-final. Bairstow struck an unbeaten 68, including three sixes, in only 45 balls to guide his team to 172-6. This was an excellent total on a slow and difficult wicket, as would be proved when Sussex came out to bat.
Yorkshire made a slow start, losing three early wickets before Bairstow and South African David Miller rebuilt the innings, putting on a fourth wicket partnership of 82. When Miller departed for 48, Bairstow seized the initiative, passing fifty and striking the ball cleanly, to help his side pose an impressive target, as they clubbed 111 runs in the last ten overs. The total was far beyond Sussex’s reach, as they slumped to 101-7, losing constant wickets and falling dramatically behind the required run rate. Only Chris Nash offered any significant resistance, as he played a brilliant innings to bat all the way through for an unbeaten 80. Nash though was starved off the strike and poorly supported by his teammates, who were subjugated by some excellent bowling by Yorkshire. Bresnan and Richard Pyrah both claimed two victims, whilst Azeem Rafiq and Joe Root bowled some tidy overs of spin. The result was never in doubt, as Sussex’s innings culminated on 136-8, as Yorkshire cantered to a deserved victory.
The question now was who would they play in the final, their division two rivals Hampshire or the indomitable force of Somerset. Year after year Somerset make finals day, but they always seem to slip up and miss out on the silverware, and yesterday was no different, as Hampshire sauntered to victory by six wickets with an over to spare. In truth it was a lacklustre display by Somerset, who apart from Craig Kieswetter performed poorly with the bat, posting a low target which was always going to be challenging to defend. So Hampshire progressed through to the final, and the side which are gunning for silverware both in the CB40 competition and County Championship Division Two, would prove difficult opponents for Yorkshire.
The Yorkshire faithful were out in force, chanting and supporting their side valiantly, and after the highly amusing mascot race won by Glamorgan’s dragon on home turf, the highly anticipated final got underway, with Hampshire electing to bat. Once more Yorkshire bowled tightly with Ryan Sidebottom and off spinner Rafiq particularly impressing. Yet thanks to 43 from Captain Jimmy Adams, 36 from Michael Carberry and a late flurry by Australian Simon Katich, Hampshire set a testing target of 150-6. Under the floodlights, on a tricky wicket and with the pressure of chasing a target in a final, Yorkshire were in a difficult position, with Hampshire appearing to possess the upper hand.
That notion quickly became apparent when Yorkshire got their run chase underway, as after a promising start, they slumped to 47-4, the wily Dimitri Mascarenhas picking up two early wickets with his medium paced cutters. Yet Miller refused to go down without a fight, as partnered first by Gary Ballance and then by Bresnan, he powered his side back into the game with some phenomenal hitting. With two over remaining his side were in sight of victory, and the momentum was in their favour. Yet a tight over left Yorkshire requiring 14 to win from the last over, which was to be bowled by Chris Wood.
Bresnan was on strike for the first ball rather than Miller, and that told, as Wood removed the Yorkshire all rounder to swing the momentum back in Hampshire’s favour. Wood then continued his fantastic over, claiming two more victims and conceding only four runs to secure his side the trophy for the second time. David Miller had played a sublime innings, finishing unbeaten on 72 off only 46 balls, but it was not enough for his side to lift a historic first T20 trophy.
Not everything is glum though for Yorkshire, as their victory over Sussex secured them a place in cricket’s lucrative T20 Champions League in South Africa, where they will pit their ability against the top sides from India, Australia and other nations, representing England along with Hampshire. The money is now in T20 cricket, and this year Yorkshire have hit the jackpot. Combined with their commendable performance in this year’s T20 campaign, Yorkshire still have the small matter of the end of the County Championship season to contend with. They currently lie third behind Derbyshire and Hampshire, but are still in with a fantastic chance of promotion, as they return to the longer format this week by hosting Gloucestershire at Scarborough. They must now bounce back from the disappointment of the defeat against Hampshire, to secure a vital win and further their chances of returning to the County Championship’s top division at the first time of asking.