Captain Gale Gets It Right This Time

After enduring a series of low scores in the pivotal position of opening batsman, Andrew Gale finally delivered a big Twenty20 innings for his team. Gale's fifty-five laid the foundations for a narrow win over Leicestershire Foxes, as the hosts maintained their push for qualification for the quarter finals.

In a week when the Vikings have three Twenty20 commitments, they will need to win at least two of the three matches if they wish to finish in a top four position in their group. Fortunately, this win was the ideal start. However, whilst Gale has doggedly persevered with his role at the top of the batting order, his opening partner Aaron Finch has peculiarly proved to be more successful in the County Championship than he has been in the Twenty20 tournament. However, the Aussie import has two further opportunities this week to provide a substantial innings. Meanwhile, it took Bresnan and Pyrah to weigh in with a fine unbroken partnership for the sixth wicket which ensured that the Tykes would set a demanding target.

Well, the visitors got off to a flier before a couple of quick wickets for Adil Rashid stemmed the flow of runs and prompted a regular fall of wickets as the Midlands outfit came up short in their run chase. This win represents a good start to July. However the Vikings must now negotiate the tricky hurdle of neighbours Durham.

YORKSHIRE VIKINGS versus Leicestershire Foxes; at Leeds; Tuesday 1st July; Leicestershire Foxes won the toss.

YORKSHIRE VIKINGS: 168 for five off 20 overs (Gale 55; Raine 3-25)

Leicestershire Foxes:154 for eight off 20 overs (Smith 56)

YORKSHIRE VIKINGS won by 14 runs. YORKSHIRE VIKINGS 2 points, Leicestershire Foxes 0 points.