Yorkshire geared up for Tenty20 success

They warmed up for the competition in style, recording a 91-run success over Bradford League side Cleckheaton on Wednesday.

That victory owed much to the sparkling form of captain Andrew Gale, who hit 146 not out from just 60 balls, on the ground where he cut his teeth in club cricket.

Gale admitted that the squad are raring to go and are determined to reach Twenty20 finals day, which take place at Glamorgan’s SWALEC Stadium on August 25.

Gale said: “We are the best prepared that we have been going into the Twenty20 since I have been involved.

“The pressure is off us, unlike in the County Championship, and we can now go out and enjoy some Twenty20 cricket over the next few weeks.

“The aim is to get to the finals day and it would be fantastic to achieve that.”

Gale was also delighted to have provided an exhibition to the large crowd on his home ground, adding: “It was good to come back to Cleckheaton.

“I have got a lot of friends and family here and it was good to be able to bring a full side down.

“The game fitted in well to our schedule, it was a good work out and helped give the lads some confidence going into the Twenty20.

“I really enjoyed it and it was good to score a few runs and this game has given us the chance to get some form going into tonight.”

Yorkshire’s game against Durham at Headingley tonight begins at 5.40pm, while they entertain Leicestershire Foxes on Sunday (2.40pm) before the televised clash at Derbyshire Falcons on Monday (7.10pm).