CLt20: Tykes downed by old boys at Newlands

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Yorkshire lost their opening CLt20 Group B match by 8 wickets with 67 balls as two former Tykes came back to haunt them at Newlands. Michael Lumb ended 43 not out from 24 balls including 8 fours and Mitchell Starc bagged 3-21 as Yorkshire were reminded how big a stage this is.

The White Rose bowlers had the unenviable task of trying to restrict the Sydney Sixers to less than their 96-9 at Newlands after the Aussies had out-Yorkshired Yorkshire in the field. Mitchell Starc finished with 3-21 as the Sixers bowled tight lines and fielded with aggression and skill.

Joe Root’s third ball was deposited on to the grass bank by Shane Watson, the next hit square for 4 more and with 11-0 on the board. Early wickets were required and hope mounted when Ryan Sidebottom’s long hop was caught by Root at deep square to see the back of Shane Watson (11), but the mountain to climb was higher than the one standing imposingly to my right.

The fifty came up in the fifth over as, with little pressure, the Sixers roared in the sun. Brad Haddin appeared to want to get back to his hotel quickly as he welcomed Moin Ashraf into the attck in fearsome style, taking 14 from his first over. The fifty partnership between Haddin and former Tyke Michael Lumb came in only 21 balls.

The six over powerplay yielded 69 runs as your online correspondent found watching the workings of the spider cam more entertaining than the on-field goings on.

It had turned into a canter with 28 required from 14 overs and not even the heroics of the battling Tykes could drag this one back from the clutches of defeat. Haddin fell just short of the line when he hit Rafiq to Lyth and was on his way for 41 from 21 balls including 8 fours. The second wicket partnershsip had produced 78 runs in 7 overs and effectively won the match.

Michael Lumb hit successive boundaries off Rafiq to secure the win and the Yorkshire lads must now regroup ahead of taking on the might of the Mumbai Indians at the same ground on Thursday.

The majesty of Newlands would have the ability to inspire or intimidate players. Nestled at the foot of Table Mountain it is arguably the most iconic ground in world cricket.

After winning the toss Andrew Gale seemed to find it hard to find the middle of the bat as Phil Jaques was out of the blocks very quickly. After the six over powerplay the Tykes were 30-1 as Gale’s agony was ended by Hazlewood when the skipper stepped across to off only to lose his leg stump.

Jaques followed in the next over as he top edged a pull off Starc and was caught by the fielder at deep square running in.

Only 24 runs came in the 8 overs after being 19-0 after the second over from Starc which had yielded 13. Starc’s return was more profitable as the former Tyke who had played such a big part in seeing Yorkshire to South Africa conceded just 5 runs in his two-over spell.

As Adam Lyth and Joe Root combined to rescue the situation there was precious little to hit as the Aussie’s found as line that restricted. Joe Root produced the first six as the score became 59-2 at the end of the 12^th.

But Root succumbed moments later for a 24 ball 25 when bowled by a ball that kept low from Moises Henriques. The pressure was on Gary Ballance to reproduce his T&T heroics. After 13 overs the score was 64-3 and the White Rose county needed a big last 7 to achieve a competitive tally.

Lyth (18 from 25) swept O’Keefe for four, but then prodded a low Watson full toss to Rohrer at point and Adil Rashid succumbed to a big swing at Pat Cummins and was caught behind.

Dan Hodgson played one imperious shot through extra cover off Watson but fell for 8 when he skied the same bowler to Haddin running in from long-on. Gary Ballance was caught behind off Cummins, he can’t be expected to perform every match, and Azeem Rafiq was brilliantly held at third man by Hazlewood off his good pal Starc. The left-armer ended Yorkshire’s suffering when he yorked Steve Patterson with the final delivery.

Starc ended with 3-21, Cummins 2-13, Watson 2-27 and Hazlewood a superbly meagre 1-9 from his 4 overs. The final total of 96-9 was Yorkshire’s second lowest ever and, if any proof were needed, ity underlined the fact that taking on the big boys was not going to be plain sailing.

MATCH PREVIEW

As Andrew Gale’s side trained there on Sunday afternoon they were dwarfed by the imposing table mountain which stretches up into the clouds behind the Castle brewery.

In such surroundings it would be easy to take the attitude that the squad has cracked it. That becoming a top ten side in world t20 cricket would be enough. But the message coming from the Yorkshire side is that they intend on causing more than a few upsets yet.

The Sydney Sixers are tough opponents. Mitchell Starc, born in Oz but recently polished in the White Rose county, is someone the players know well and certainly won’t be taking lightly. His 3-31 was a key component in the Sixers opening win against the Chennai Super Kings. His 21 wickets in FLt20 action for the Tykes this summer were a major factor in Yorkshire’s qualification for the CLt20.

The Sixers win over Chennai also featured 46 in 30 balls from Shane Watson who will be withdrawn from the competition after playing against Yorkshire and Highveld Lions. The man of the match however was Moises Henriques whose unbeaten 49 from 23 balls and 3-23 condemned Chennai to a 14 run defeat.

There is no denying that Sydney have plenty of ammunition at their disposal, but Yorkshire have already shown why they shouldn’t be considered the tournaments rabbits. Gary Ballance and Adil Rashid were nothing less than superb against Trinidad & Tobago, another example of players sticking their hands up when really needed.

Yorkshire play four Group B games and success has already been assured, but who knows where the next week will take us? There are some big scalps to be had and the team spirit which has driven Yorkshire’s challenge in the game’s shortest format is stronger than ever before.

It’s time to shine on the biggest stage.