Ben Coad is confident Yorkshire can use today’s thrilling win over Essex as a springboard to secure knockout qualification in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.
Coad was one of the stars of the show at Scarborough today, claiming 3-41 and then hitting 26 not out in a three-wicket success.
A game in which the bowlers held sway saw Essex limited to 243-9, recovering from 27-3 but later slipping from 152-3.
Yorkshire then fell to 18-2 before recovering to 102-2 and slipping to 123-6 and 184-7.
But Coad, alongside Dom Bess with a career best 53 not out, guided Yorkshire over the line with a stand of 60 unbroken for the eighth wicket.
The Vikings now sit on six points from five games. They are level on points with third-placed Nottinghamshire, who hold the last knockout qualifying spot.
Coad and company face Leicestershire here on Thursday before rounding off their campaign against the runaway leaders, Warwickshire at Rugby on Sunday and Glamorgan at Cardiff next Wednesday. They have both won five from five so far and are all but qualified.
“I think we played pretty well there without being at our best,” said new ball seamer Coad.
“It was a pretty similar game to the one against Gloucestershire on Friday at York, so to get over the line this time is very pleasing.”
Coad continued: “The pitches have offered a bit for the bowlers, and it’s been tricky up top to get a good start and set the platform with the bat. But we’ve bowled well throughout the tournament.
“It’s frustrating we haven’t got over the line on a couple of occasions, but now we’re in a good position to push on in the group.
“I think we’ll get through with five wins – so two out of the last three. We’ll have to see.
“The consistency is something we’re striving for. We know the capability of the lads in the dressing room, and we know if we click we’ll beat anybody.”
Talismanic Coad’s wickets have been crucial for Yorkshire this campaign. He has taken 12 now. But today, his runs were just as important in front of a 3,000 strong crowd.
“I prefer being out in the middle than being inside,” he smiled, when asked about the nerves at the end. “But once you’re out there, it’s much easier.
“The situation wasn’t that high-risk in terms of runs per over we needed, but I play a certain way and am not going to go away from that. I tried to make it easier for Bessy, whose plan was just to stay there and bat the overs. He was outstanding.
“I found the pitch challenging to bat on, especially back of a length. They either stopped or kissed off the pitch.
“It was very two-paced, but it was still more than a 240 pitch.”
