Bairstow's Century Crushes Dastardly Durham

Just as he had done four Fridays ago against Northamptonshire Steelbacks, Jonny Bairstow almost single-handedly catapulted a struggling Yorkshire team to victory with a characteristic display of aggression. With the Vikings' overseas 'stars' spectacularly under-achieving, JB had ample opportunity to deliver a big innings, and he certainly obliged!

Hammering twelve runs off the final over enabled Jonny to reach a richly-deserved century, his maiden ton in the twenty20 format. Whilst a standing ovation can be allocated for our conquering hero and applause can be reserved for another useful knock from the fast-improving Alex Lees, there is much to be concerned about the continued batting failures of their colleagues. The returning Kane Williamson can be excused, but the same cannot be said for the under-performing Aaron Finch. The Australian was probably unjustifiably promoted to the role of captain after the out-of-form Gale commendably stepped aside. However, Finch has demonstrated that the twin responsibility of being a captain and an opener is clearly a difficult assignment as he proceeded to 'emulate' the previous efforts of his predecessor. A duck from Finch was yet another pathetic return from the much-vaunted Aussie who has peculiarly batted better in the County Championship than he has done in his apparent comfort zone of Twenty20 cricket. Elsewhere, eyebrows must also be raised at how Adam Lyth continues to flop in the twenty overs skirmishes while simultaneously excelling in the four-day outings. A big innings is urgently needed from Lyth, or else he should make way for Gale, Hodgson, or Leaning.

Then when the hosts stepped forth to challenge the demanding total, the Viking bowlers did their best to capitalise upon Bairstow's momentous ton. All the bowlers gave a good account of themselves, with the notable exception of young Robinson who appears thus far to be out of his depth in these pressure cooker occasions. Mr Williamson meanwhile bowled one over, costing a mere three runs, and picking up a valuable wicket. Not to be outdone by that feat, Azeem Rafiq promptly bowled five deliveries in the final over and collected two wickets at a cost of only five runs.

Now Yorkshire's Twenty20 prospects look decidedly better after this revenge mission on an annoying neighbour that conspired to defeat us ten days ago while also preventing our troops from winning two County Championship contests. There's nothing quite like a nice bit of vengeance, courtesy of Bairstow and chums.

Durham Jets versus YORKSHIRE VIKINGS; at Durham; Friday July 11th; Durham Jets won the toss.

YORKSHIRE VIKINGS: 186 for eight off 20 overs (Bairstow 102*; Hastings 3-30)

Durham Jets: 137 off 19.4 overs (Hastings 62; Pyrah 3-19)

YORKSHIRE VIKINGS won by 49 runs. Durham Jets 0 points, YORKSHIRE VIKINGS 2 points.