Eckersley Foils Indifferent Yorkshire

Poor Yorkshire succumbed to their umpteenth one-day defeat of this bizarre summer. Here is where I am liable to weigh in with scornful remarks about the vanquished, but quite frankly the Tykes posted a reasonable score and nobody disgraced himself in the bowling department either. Instead, it would be more apt to pay tribute to the batting heroics of Ned Eckersley, whose century was most surely the difference between success and failure in a contest that was undecided until the penultimate delivery.

If only points were allocated for winning the toss which the Tykes duly accomplished. In the event, the visitors reached 170 for the loss of only three wickets, but then a flurry of dismissals threatened to derail their efforts. Not for the first time in recent weeks, Gary Ballance caught the eye with a commendable fifty. This guy is a model of consistency and ought to be ahead of team-mate Jonny Bairstow in terms of England tour party selection for Australia later in the year.

When Leicestershire replied, it was Joshua Cobb who almost cut loose against the white rose. However, his eviction for 45 mattered little as Ned Eckersley proceeded to dominate the run chase. When Eckersley was eventually felled, his colleagues staggered over the finishing line. My only question is why the economical Richard Pyrah was not allowed an eighth over. I guess that ultimately Yorkshire are completely lukewarm about their remaining limited-overs engagements. Perhaps they couldn't give a toss except for winning the toss.

Leicestershire versus YORKSHIRE;at Leicester; Sunday 11th August 2013; YORKSHIRE won the toss.

YORKSHIRE: 228 for 7 (40 overs)

Gale b Taylor 31 (56-2)

Hodgson b Williams 8 (40-1)

Lees b Sykes 28 (90-3)

Ballance c Smith b Taylor 56 (173-5)

Lyth c Taylor b Williams 36 (170-4)

Rafiq b Cobb 18 (200-7)

Plunkett b Thakor 4 (178-6)

Pyrah not out 15

Robinson not out 12

Extras: 20

LEICESTERSHIRE: 232 for 7 (39.5 overs)

Cobb c Plunkett b Rafiq 45 (55-3)

O'Brien c Hodgson b Plunkett 5 (21-1)

Smith b Plunkett 0 (21-2)

Eckersley c Plunkett b Ashraf 108 (217-7)

Boyce b Wardlaw 37 (158-4)

Thackor c Hodgson b Ashraf 3 (168-5)

Thornely c Lyth b Wardlaw 6 (213-6)

Taylor not out 12

Ireland not out 6

Extras:10

Leicestershire win by three wickets.