Bresnan Hits Out

By Gary Watton
July 27 2016

For the second time in the last couple of weeks, Nottinghamshire and their northern neighbours of Yorkshire thrilled the assembled spectators with yet another nailbiting photo finish. This time the Tykes prevailed in the run chase, but the hosts did their very best both to win the match comfortably and also to completely throw away their position of dominance. However the visitors are clearly a quality one-day team and they don't know when they are beaten.

Initially Alex Lees made his major contribution by winning the toss. His team have flourished in recent weeks from batting first, but young Lees had other ideas. Indeed his bold decision to field first was well and truly vindicated when Nottinghamshire were on the ropes at a pitiful forty-six for five. However, the visitors are nothing if not resilient. They managed to rally to a competitive total of 251. Yorkshire had let them off the hook, and after a characteristic whirlwind start from Lyth, we bailed them out of jail again with a succession of wickets that turned the contest on its head. Now it was Yorkshire's middle order and tail that needed to atone for top order failings, and thanks to the ever-invaluable Bresnan they did just that, but it was mighty close.

Let's face it. The Outlaws had narrowly prevailed against us in the last few balls of a Twenty20 skirmish a couple of weeks ago, so they can have few complaints that this time they were on the receiving end. Quite frankly, both teams ooze such quality at present, that they owe it to themselves and to cricket in general to reconvene for another thriller at Lords before the end of the summer.

Royal London One-Day Cup: YORKSHIRE VIKINGS versus Nottinghamshire Outlaws; in Scarborough; Wednesday July 27 2016. YORKSHIRE VIKINGS won the toss.

Nottinghamshire Outlaws: 251 for nine (off fifty overs)

Lumb c Lees b Bresnan 9 (24-1) 

Wessels c Lees b Plunkett 36 (46-5)

Smith c Head b Willey 0 (30-2)

Taylor c Hodd b Bresnan 0 (38-3)

Patel lbw b Plunkett 0 (39-4)

Christian c Lees b Patterson 52 (131-6)

Mullaney not out 89

Read c Hodd b Willey 15 (162-7)

Fletcher st Hodd b Rafiq 13 (183-8)

Ball b Patterson 27 (225-9)

Gurney not out 1

Extras: nine

YORKSHIRE VIKINGS: 254 for eight (off 49.4 overs)

Lyth c Fletcher b Gurney 39 (45-1)

Lees c Read b Ball 7 (50-4)

Head c Fletcher b Gurney 0 (45-2)

Leaning c Read b Ball 0 (46-3)

Rashid c Fletcher b Christian 41 (147-5)

Bresnan not out 95

Willey c Ball b Fletcher 15 (191-6)

Plunkett c Fletcher b Christian 10 (205-7)

Hodd lbw b Christian 12 (224-8)

Rafiq not out 17

Extras: eighteen

Christian three for forty-four

YORKSHIRE VIKINGS win by two wickets. YORKSHIRE VIKINGS two points, Nottinghamshire Outlaws nul points.