Yorkshire Carnegie and Notts Outlaws remain joint top of the FLt20 North Group after heavy rain meant only 14 overs were possible in Scarborough. Today's winners would have taken a firmer hold on the division at the halfway point, but Yorkshire will now have to wait until Wednesday's trip to Leicester to regain positive momentum.

MATCH ZONE

MATCH REPORT

Yorkshire Carnegie and Notts Outlaws remain joint top of the FLt20 North Group after heavy rain meant only 14 overs were possible in Scarborough.

Today's winners would have taken a firmer hold on the division at the halfway point, but Yorkshire will now have to wait until Wednesday's trip to Leicester to regain positive momentum.

In the 14 overs played Nottinghamshire Outlaws had scored 105-3 after being asked to bat first by Azeem Rafiq who once again deputised as captain for the injured Andrew Gale.

Former Tyke Michael Lumb (2) was bowled by Ryan Sidebottom's third ball of the innings. Riki Wessels was well caught above his head by Phil Jaques at short mid-wicket to the first ball of the fourth over bowled by Mitchell Starc as Yorkshire exerted early control.

Ryan Sidebottom was frustrated after a couple of decisions went against him and his second over disappeared for 17 runs.

Adam Voges and James Taylor had added 45 for the third wicket in seven overs when Voges struck Moin Ashraf's first ball of his second spell when swapping to the Peasholme Park End to Joe Root at long-on.

But the rain that had threatened and already interrupted play twice albeit briefly returned again in force. The umpires waited a while hoping the dark clouds would clear, but it wasn't to be. 

JAMES BUTTLER in SCARBOROUGH

Current North Group Table (after today's no result)

MATCH PREVIEW

The Tykes welcome Nottinghamshire Outlaws to Scarborough on Sunday with confidence high after a superb fighting display away to Durham on Friday bagged the points. The Outlaws are in fine form too, and with the two sides joint top of the North Group, Sunday’s winners will take a firm hold of the division at the halfway point.

Notts are technically top by virtue of a higher net run rate, but that could all change if Yorkshire continue to play with the energy, self-belief and ruthlessness not seen by a White Rose team in the nine previous years of the competition.

Azeem Rafiq will continue to captain the side if Andrew Gale has not recovered from the hip injury that saw Rafiq become Yorkshire’s youngest senior captain at 21 years-old.

When I interviewed ‘Rafa’ for Yorkshire Radio and this website after the Durham match I wished it had been on video so you could have seen the energy and pride exhibited by Yorkshire’s able deputy.

Rafiq was buzzing: “I’m really proud. Coming up and going through the ranks you want to believe you can do it one day, but you never know. To get it so early I feel absolutely privileged and so proud.”

“Obviously Galey’s the captain and I’m only filling in while he’s not fit. Hopefully we can get Galey back as soon as possible because he’s an awesome player for us in this format.

“I loved every minute of it and if the chance comes again I’ll do it, but we want Galey back.

“I loved it, even when they were flying everywhere I said to Jaquesy ‘I love this.’”

Yorkshire have momentum on their side and also strength-in-depth. Not many sides lose their talismanic skipper and opener and can replaced him with someone of the quality of Adam Lyth who cracked 30 runs off 20 balls. If Gale does not return the Scarborough crowd will give the Whitby-born left-hander a rousing reception.

Whether captain or not, Rafiq can’t wait for Sunday: “Every game is a big game in this competition. When you get on a roll you don’t want to ease off at all. We’ve been outstanding every game in all departments.”

“The Yorkshire supporters have never seen a side like this in the t20s. I’ve been involved for four or five years in the t20 squad and I’ve never seen a Yorkshire side like this.

“We’ve had the big names before like Vaughan, Hoggard, Rana, Gibbs, but we’ve never had a team like this and I’m really excited. Touch wood, maybe it will be our year.”

The match starts at 2.40pm at the North Marine Road, Scarborough. Come along and give the Yorkshire lads your support as they bid to take control of the North Group.

JAMES BUTTLER

YORKSHIRE CARNEGIE SQUAD

Andrew GALE (capt), Phil JAQUES, Joe ROOT, Gary BALLANCE, David MILLER, Gerard BROPHY (wk), Richard PYRAH, Azeem RAFIQ, Mitchell STARC, Ryan SIDEBOTTOM, Moin ASHRAF, Adil RASHID, Iain WARDLAW and Adam LYTH.

MATCH INFORMATION

Gates Open: 12.30pm for members, 1.00pm for non-members.

1st Innings – 2.40pm until 3.55pm
Interval – 3.55pm until 4.10pm
2nd Innings – 4.10pm until 5.25pm

Ticket Prices: £20 adults, £10 concessions