A record unbroken stand of 137 in a mere 11 overs between Andrew Gale, above, and man-of-the-match Herschelle Gibbs powered Yorkshire Carnegie to a nine-wicket victory over Durham Dynamos at Headingley Carnegie tonight.

It was Yorkshire’s first win of the season in the Friends Provident t20 competition following two defeats - and it was achieved at a canter with four full overs to spare. Captain Gale finished unbeaten on 60 from 42 deliveries with five fours and three sixes, while his South African partner was even quicker with 76 from 44 balls with seven fours and four sixes.

The stand raced past Yorkshire’s previous highest in Twenty20 cricket of an unbeaten 129, also for the second wicket, between Gale and Michael Vaughan at Headingley last year against Nottinghamshire. Carnegie put the Dynamos in, and good bowling restricted them to 156-7 on a seaming pitch. Yorkshire lost their first wicket in the fifth over when Steve Harmison knocked out Jacques Rudolph’s off-stump with his first delivery.

Gale and Gibbs settled in confidently, although it still looked like being a tight contest with 100 required off the last 12 overs. Then Gibbs turned the tide Yorkshire’s way with three boundaries in one over from Harmison - and when Ian Blackwell joined the attack Gibbs pulled his first two deliveries high into the West Stand.

Gale joined in the fun as each batsman smacked a six in an over from Will Smith which cost 20, and it was all over when Gibbs slammed Liam Plunkett back over the bowler’s head for six and then drove him through extra-cover for the winning boundary.

On a bitterly cold evening Ajmal Shahzad struck a quick blow for Yorkshire by hitting Durham captain Phil Mustard’s stumps in the first over of the match, and the England man kept his nerve with a good spell at the end to claim 1-21 in four economical overs.

Some of the best bowling came from Adil Rashid, who ended a threatening knock from Ben Stokes by having him caught on the edge by Anthony McGrath and sending back Dale Benkenstein and Gareth Breese cheaply to give him the splendid figures of 3-23.

Richard Pyrah also featured prominently by accounting for the two other main scorers - Ross Taylor caught by Rashid for 31 with two fours and three sixes, and Albie Morkel losing his off-stump for 33 from 23 balls with two fours and two sixes.

DAVID WARNER

Pictures From Headingley Carnegie: VAUGHN RIDLEY

PREVIEW:

Whether it’s Andrew Gale pitting his wits against Durham’s new skipper Phil Mustard, AjmalShahzad v Steve Harmison, Jacques Rudolph v Dale Benkenstein or Adil Rashid against Ian Blackwell, Thursdays FP t20 match at Headingley Carnegie promises to be a pitch battle from start to finish.

There will be no love lost in the overseas ranks either with Yorkshire’s South African Herschelle Gibbs taking on Durham’s Albie Morkel and Yorkshire’s Aussie Clint McKay in an antipodean grudge match with Durham’s Kiwi Ross Taylor.

This match is unlikely to disappoint, with a mammoth 121 boundaries hit in the team’s first two FP t20 matches this season. Jacques Rudolph is Carnegie’s early front runner in the six hitting stakes with five to his name as 39 sixes and 57 fours have been smashed in Yorkshire’s first two fixtures. How many balls will be cracked over the ropes on Thursday night?

Although the first two matches have gone against Carnegie, there are still 14 group games left and everything to play for as Andrew Gale’s men aim to secure that all-important top 4 place and a berth in the Quarter-Finals.

YORKSHIRE CARNEGIE SQUAD

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

DURHAM DYNAMOS SQUAD

To be confirmed...

AJMAL SHAHZAD BACK AFTER ENGLAND DUTY

Ajmal Shahzad will return to the Yorkshire ranks on Thursday when Yorkshire Carnegie take on the Durham Dynamos at Headingley Carnegie.

#Fresh from a very creditable Test Match debut against Bangladesh, in which he took 4 wickets, Ajmal will be a key member of the side as Andrew Gale's men hunt for their first win in this year's competition.

The match against Durham Dynamos starts at 5.30pm.

TICKETS

Supporters can purchase tickets prior to 2pm on Thursday 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.

Online purchases can be made HERE or you can telephone 0871 971 1222.

After 2pm on Thursday normal gate FP t20 admission prices will apply through the turnstiles.