Yorkshire reached their first t20 Finals Day with a 29-run win over Worcestershire as they kept up their impressive series of displays in this year’s competition. They have been drawn to play Sussex Sharks in the semi-finals at Cardiff on 25 August.

(PHOTO: Catches win matches and the amazing Root parry to Miller to dismiss James Cameron was an amazing moment in a season where Yorkshire have been brilliant in the field)

Joe Root bagged the man of the match award for his maiden t20 half-century and an amazing piece of fielding on the boundary edge which saw him take a catch and throw the ball back to David Miller inside the ropes to complete the catch.

LISTEN: Joe Root post match interview
LISTEN: David Miller post match interview

Yorkshire hit 212-5 in their 20 overs, their second highest total in ten years of t20 cricket, and responded superbly to the challenges of a high profile quarter-final where expectations were high.

Root’s 65 in 40 balls propelled the team forward and David Miller hit 50 in 25 balls before Gary Ballance smashed an unbeaten 46 from only 20 balls as 72 runs were added in the last four overs. Ultimately that late flourish took the home side out of range.

Root continues to impress this season and stroked 11 fours as he combined with Andrew Gale 30 to add 59 for the second wicket after Phil Jaques (2) was run out in the opening over. Jonny Bairstow (2) skied a catch to long-on shortly after Gale was foiled by a Daryl Mitchell slower ball and was caught and bowled.

But Miller belted 4 fours and 3 sixes and Balance added 2 fours and 5 sixes as Yorkshire illuminated Headingley and captivated a crowd of approximately 8,000. Rich Pyrah swung his first ball high over extra cover with one of the cleanest sixes you'll ever see as the Tykes reached the halfway stage with all the momentum.

Phil Hughes always gave Worcestershire a chance with an unbeaten 80 from 53 balls, but the Royals were always up against it chasing a formidable total.

At 20-2 James Cameron (29) joined Hughes and added 70 in 8 overs before that moment of Root brilliance on the midwicket fence tightened Yorkshire grip on a first Finals Day appearance.

Mitchell Starc bowed out of the t20 season with a season's best 3-24 to maintain his grip on the leading wicket-taker tag with 21 wickets at 10.38. Azeem Rafiq impressed with 1-26 from his 4 overs and Moin Ashraf has also been outstanding. He withstood late pressure to keep the Yorkshire side ahead to finish with 0-35 from his spell.

Knowing how t20 matches can change quickly it wasn’t until the scoreboard showed 36 needed from the last over that Yorkshire supporters could breathe more easily.

It’s been a real pleasure to cover the t20 summer so far for the website and with commentary on Yorkshire Radio.

Roll on Finals Day. Sussex may start favourites in that semi-final, but take this Yorkshire team lightly at your peril.

FINALS DAY DRAW for 25 August in Cardiff

11.00 SUSSEX v YORSKHIRE
14.30 HAMPSHIRE v SOMERSET
18.45 FINAL

JAMES BUTTLER at HEADINGLEY

MATCH PREVIEW

It’s the biggest domestic one-day match to be played at Headingley for many a year. It’s the first time Yorkshire have ever played well enough to secure a home t20 quarter-final tie. Victory would ensure that the Tykes will make their first ever trip to Finals Day. And the team need your support.

It's also a chance for Worcestershire Royals to reach Finals Day for the first time too. One team will be ecstatic, the other still unable to banish their t20 hoodoo.

• ALL THE FAMILY FUN IN THE SUN ON WEDNESDAY
• WATCH THIS VIDEO FOR A FEW MORE REASONS TO COME ALONG!

But first team coach Jason Gillespie, could not be happier with his side’s Friends Life t20 performances so far: “Whether we win or lose, I'll be as proud as punch with our guys. It's all about on the day. All we can do is prepare as well as we can. I’ve been extremely pleased with how the lads have done.”

“Worcestershire Royals are a very good t20 side and we’re excited about the challenge,” the Aussie continued. “We know it’s tough and we’re doing our research and we want to give ourselves the chance to play our very best cricket.”

“It’s going to be a tough game, no question.

And Dizzy has been delighted with the response the team’s efforts have had from Members and supporters: “One thing that’s been really pleasing, and I know when I played at Yorkshire that when things are going well they are great, but when things don’t quite go so well a lot of questions get asked, probably too quickly at times.”

“What I’ve found this year, even after our first t20 against Durham, there were a lot of positive vibes coming from the crowd and supporters in forums and on twitter. They have enjoyed the way we played.

"That’s great as supporters can see what we’re trying to do.”

Although happy with Yorkshire’s progress, the phrase regularly coming from the squad is ‘we’ve won nothing yet', but Gillespie believes if his players continue to work hard there is more to come.

Whether that’s this year or next though remains to be seen: “We’ve got potential to be a very good t20 side. We’ve had a good group stage, but we know we can’t get ahead of ourselves.”

“Qualifying for Finals Day and the Champions League would be fantastic for the club and amazing for the players to have an opportunity like that.

“I think it would be one of the most wonderful things for Yorkshire to be involved in.

“For the development and the belief of the players, it would be absolutely phenomenal.”

YORKSHIRE CARNEGIE SQUAD

Andrew GALE (capt), Moin ASHRAF, Jonny BAIRSTOW (wk), Gary BALLANCE, Phil JAQUES, Adam LYTH, David MILLER, Steve PATTERSON, Richard PYRAH, Azeem RAFIQ, Adil RASHID, Joe ROOT, Mitchell STARC and Iain WARDLAW

The Club have asked that all supporters wear the brightest clothing imaginable to light up the stadium and push Yorkshire Carnegie to the showpiece last four event in Cardiff on 25 August. You are encouraged to wear fancy dress for which prizes are on offer.

It’s going to be an absolute cracker and you will kick yourselves if you miss it!

This season Yorkshire have looked the real deal. They’ve followed up their victory in the pre-season Barbados Twenty20 Cup with some thrilling cricket and a never-say-die approach. It’s been refreshing and great to watch.

So why have Yorkshire gone up a gear in 2012?

• Captaincy. The combined approach of Andrew Gale and Azeem Rafiq at the helm has kept Yorkshire a step ahead of their rivals. Both are similar in nature - combative, aggressive, shrewd and with the full respect of the rest of their side.
• Desire. They have never once wilted, even when the odds suggested defeat. They’ve clung on, stood up, held their nerve and whittled away at their opponents until the bitter end.
• Fielding. It’s been nothing short of exceptional at times. The standout was the ground fielding at Leicester, but the high point for me was Gary Balance’s acrobatic boundary six save against Lancashire.
• Overseas imports. In Mitchell Starc and David Miller, Yorkshire have bucked previous trends in recruiting young, talented, hungry cricketers who have fitted the team ethos and more than earned their corn.
• Yorkers. It’s not rocket science. If a batsman is trying to smack the ball out of the park and the delivery is in the block hole, delivered at pace and put their consistently it’s not easy to get away. The bowlers have squeezed batsmen into errors and submission.
• Coaches. There’s no doubt that the new Martyn Moxon, Jason Gillespie and Paul Farbrace team has bred fresh life into the Yorkshire side. They bring years of experience, cricket nouse and massive enthusiasm to the setup and the players have responded.
• Youth. It’s a young team desperate to shine and reap the rewards of their undoubted ability and potential. Young legs in the field and a bond created by growing up together all play their part.
• Luck. Not to be underestimated and when everything else is going in the right direction and that magical momentum is with you it’s amazing how lucky you can be. Any team that wins trophies has luck along the way.
• Self belief. This team actually know they are good enough.
• Game plan. They’ve picked their tactics, stuck to them and they are working. While other skippers change their fields after every ball, Yorkshire know what they intend to do and get on with doing it.
• #strongunit. Jason Gillespie’s favourite twitter hashtag is proving true. A good bunch of individuals who are finally becoming better than the sum of their parts.

Let’s hope for more of the same at 4.15pm on Wednesday.

Whatever happens get behind the Yorkshire side and enjoy your time at Headingley Carnegie Cricket Ground!