An astonishing innings from man-of-the-match Adam Lyth, above, resulted in Yorkshire Carnegie romping to their biggest ever runs victory in the Friends Provident t20 match against Worcestershire Royals at sunny Headingley Carnegie.

Lyth thrashed 59 from 24 balls with 10 fours and two sixes to rush Yorkshire to their record Twenty20 score of 213-7, and they went on to win by 104 runs as their dispirited opponents were sent back for 109 with 19 balls remaining.

Winning the toss, Andrew Gale and Lyth – in the side for the injured Jacques Rudolph –got off to a cracking start, and it was the captain who was responsible for all the early fireworks. In the first two overs he lashed 19 from the first six balls he received from Jack Shantry and Richard Jones with three, four, a six and a single before lifting Jones to former Yorkshire batsman Phil Jaques at mid-wicket.

This barrage of blows appeared to inspire Lyth - who went on an equally spectacular spree of his own, smacking sixes off both Gareth Andrew and Sanath Jayasuriya as 50 came up in 3.5 overs. Lyth continued to trade only in boundaries - and his first 48 runs were comprised of nine fours and two sixes. He then ran a single and reached his 18-ball 50 – the joint third fastest in domestic Twenty20 cricket - with a two.

His partner, Herschelle Gibbs, thumped Moeen Ali for consecutive sixes to bring up the 100 in 6.5 overs - and the stand was worth 108 when Gibbs fell for 40 with a four and four sixes. Lyth soon followed as Jayasuriya trapped him lbw, and although Worcestershire were able to staunch the flow of runs to some extent Jonny Bairstow still reached an unbeaten 49 from 30 balls with two fours and three sixes.

Worcestershire were never in the hunt from the moment Steven Patterson claimed the wickets of both Jaques and Ali in his first over - and when a stunning boundary catch by Lyth accounted for the potentially dangerous Jayasuriya the Royals were 27-3 and sinking fast.

They were never allowed to stage a recover as Azeem Rafiq and Pyrah deservedly captured three wickets apiece to send Worcestershire to their sixth consecutive defeat and boost Yorkshire’s improving chances of making it into the quarter-finals.

DAVID WARNER

Pictures From Headingley Carnegie: VAUGHN RIDLEY

PREVIEW: Andrew Gale's side will be all out to shed themselves of their hit and miss reputation in this season's FP t20 when they play Worcestershire Royals at Headingley Carnegie today.It's been a campaign of excellent highs and disappointing lows so far for Yorkshire Carnegie. A tremendous win over Durham Dynamos was follwed by defeat against Northamptonshire Steelbacks (albeit by Duckworth Lewis) and then a superb Roses victory last Thursday was subsequently marred by defeat away at Durham.

On Sunday Yorkshire Carnegie produced one of their best performances yet when they demolished Matthew Hoggard's Leicestershire and now must keep their foot on the throttle against Worcestershire as they bid to finish in the top four of the Northern Division and secure a Quarter-Finals berth.

Worcestershire Royals currently sit at the bottom of the Northern Division and will be hoping to derail Carnegie's progress. Andrew Gale and all of the team ?would welcome your support tonight!!?????

YORKSHIRE CARNEGIE SQUAD

Andrew Gale (capt), Jacques Rudolph, Herschelle Gibbs, Anthony McGrath, Gerard Brophy (wk), Jonathan Bairstow, Adil Rashid, Richard Pyrah, Azeem Rafiq, Tino Best, Steve Patterson, Ben Sanderson and Adam Lyth.

WORCESTERSHIRE ROYALS SQUAD

TBC

MATCH INFO

Gates will open at 3.30pm and the match is schedule to start at 5.30pm.

TICKET INFORMATION

Supporters can purchase tickets prior to 2pm on Tuesday at a reduced £12 (telephone or internet orders need to be received by 12 noon). All tickets purchased will need to be collected from the Ticket Office at Headingley Carnegie Cricket Ground.

After 2pm normal gate admission rates apply.