Andrew Gale and Adam Lyth were understandably dejected as they reflected on Yorkshire’s elimination from the Vitality Blast courtesy of last night’s defeat against Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford.
A thrilling game saw Lancashire slip from 132-1 in the 15th over of their innings to finish on 167-6 before Yorkshire fell from 115-1 in the 13th over to finish on 160-6, failing to get 12 off the last over from Saqib Mahmood.
Adam Lyth hit 45 and Joe Root 64, but both were run out as part of the Red Rose heist, consigning Yorkshire to a fourth straight North Group defeat – this one by seven runs.
It means, with one game remaining against Derbyshire at Emerald Headingley on Sunday afternoon, the Vikings are out of contention for the quarter-finals.
“This is one of a few games we should have won,” said coach Gale.
“It feels like we’ve been the nearly team. At Leicester last week, against Durham last night and again tonight.
“We did so much good stuff tonight. In the field, we pegged it back really well. We probably could have saved 10 runs, but you can always say that about T20 cricket.
“From a batting point of view, that partnership between Rooty and Lythy was outstanding. But, to be fair to them, they’ve just stuck their hands up in the dressing room and said, ‘One of us should have got us over the line’.
“Three run outs – that’s schoolboy in my eyes. That’s cost us.
“We are lacking confidence and belief because winning tight games is tough. Unfortunately, a number of times we’ve fallen short.
“I feel like when we do get on the right side of one of them, we’ll have that confidence to do it over and over again.”
Captain Lyth said: “There’s no way we should have lost that game. Myself and Rooty should have seen it home. We’re gutted.”
Yorkshire fielded 18-year-old debutants Sam Wisniewski and Matthew Revis.
Revis was given little chance to impact and thrown in at the deep end in the final over of the game, but left-arm wrist spinner Wisniewski bowled two encouraging overs for 15 with Lancashire pair Liam Livingstone and Steven Croft in full flow just outside the powerplay.
Lyth added: “Wiz was excellent, bowling at some fantastic players. I thought he held his nerve really well, and it’s pleasing going forwards.”
