The Derbyshire Falcons grabbed the points at Headingley by 12 runs to end Yorkshire’s recent run of wins in the Friends Life t20.

MATCH INFO

The Derbyshire Falcons grabbed the points at Headingley by 12 runs to end Yorkshire’s recent run of wins in the Friends Life t20.

A victory would have given Yorkshire their fourth win in five matches (with the non-win being the rained off no result against Northants) and would have cemented their place in the Northern Group’s top four, but defeat makes the task of qualifying for the Quarter-Finals that much tougher – the next four matches are all away due to the One-Day International being held at Headingley on 1 July.

This defeat however, was not as damning as the opening two matches where the Tykes were never at the races against Warwickshire and Notts respectively. Yorkshire’s ground fielding in particular was excellent, but they lost their way with the ball at the death of the Falcons innings. Sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition.

Gary Ballance hit a lusty 46, including 3 powerful sixes, but he fell in the final over as the chase got too much. Joe Root ended unbeaten on 46, but the pair showed their inexperience as the run-rate spiralled and they delayed their charge. That happens sometimes with young sides and the pair will learn and be better for last night’s match.

Derbyshire had posted 152-4 after winning the toss and in reply, Andrew Gale, so pivotal at the top of the order was stumped in Wes Durston’s opening over and Adam Lyth ploughed a full toss from Tom Groenewald straight to Martin Guptil at point.

Anthony McGrath was run out as Jonny Bairstow pushed for a quick single and Bairstow, who had been shelled by Ross Whitely at deep square, then hit Chesney Hughes to Garry Park at mid-off. Yorkshire were 53-4 in the 10th over, just marginally ahead of Derbyshire’s score at the same stage.

Ballance and Root added 82 for the 4th wicket but struggled to find the fence as Hughes and 17-year-old slow-left-armer, Tom Knight, gave them little to hit. Ballance said later that they ‘should probably have gone for it one or two overs sooner’ with powerful hitters like Ajmal Shahzad and Richard Pyrah still to come.

With 24 required from the final 4 deliveries from Steffan Jones, Ballance successfully aimed the first delivery into the West Stand, but when he tried to repeat the blow was caught by Guptil just inside the ropes.

Derbyshire had Guptil run out on the 4th ball of the first over when quick work from Azeem Rafiq and Jonny Bairstow saw the New Zealander short of his ground attempting a quick single. Durston went cheaply lbw to Shahzad and Derbyshire found themselves 15-2 in the 4th over.

The Yorkshire attack bowled well and the fielding was top class, although Jonny Bairstow missed a catch and a stumping opportunity. Wayne Madsen took the Man of the Match award for his 61 not out from 48 balls with 2 fours and 1 six. The powerful Hughes never really found his timing in his 32. Madsen and Hughes added 53 before the latter was bowled by Rafiq.

Garry Park, who would later be inspirational in the outfield, gave Madsen good support in his 31 from 19 balls. Whiteley then smashed 17 from 7 balls as the Falcons added 25 from their final 10 balls. That ultimately would prove the difference.

JAMES BUTTLER at HEADINGLEY

MATCH PREVIEW

It's back to t20 action for Andrew Gale's side after the Championship match against Durham ended in a draw yesterday.

Yorkshire have enjoyed three wins in the last four matches in the competition and pushed themselves into the top four placed in the Northern Group in the process. A win tonight against a Derbyshire side that shouldn't be underestimated and a Quarter-Final berth is getting ever closer.

Ryan Sidebottom is rested and Tim Bresnan not quite ready to be included tonight. Otherwise it is the same t20 squad that has been available for selection in recent games.

YORKSHIRE CARNEGIE XI

fom Andrew GALE (c), Jonny BAIRSTOW (wk), Adam LYTH, Joe ROOT, Gary BALLANCE, Anthony McGRATH, Adil RASHID, Ajmal SHAHZAD, Richard PYRAH, Steve PATTERSON, Azeem RAFIQ, David WAINWRIGHT, Gerard BROPHY