Adam Lyth was left to rue one that got away as Yorkshire slipped to their second Vitality Blast defeat against Leicestershire at the Fischer County Ground, Grace Road this evening.
Lyth and co were unable to defend a commanding total of 188-6, with Gareth Delany and Colin Ackermann hitting blistering half-centuries and Ben Mike hoisting the final ball of the game for six, off Lyth’s off-spin.
The Vikings slipped to fourth in the North Group table, with six points from as many games – two wins, two defeats and two No Results.
“It was a cracking game, going down to the final ball,” said Lyth, who was handed the responsibility of bowling the last over by David Willey with nine runs to defend.
“Unfortunately we didn’t get over the line.
“We did some good things and others not quite so well.”
Lyth, who top-scored in Yorkshire’s innings with 71 – his third fifty in four T20 innings this summer, continued: “The powerplay went well for us, but I got out in a really important part of the game.
“I think we were 15-20 runs short, which is disappointing.
“I feel really good (at the crease), but I feel like I’ve missed out on a big one tonight, getting out with about seven overs to go. I definitely left a few out there.
“In their powerplay with the ball we were outstanding but just lost our way in the middle.
“We pegged it back right at the end with some good overs, but unfortunately I didn’t quite get it right at the end, and it disappeared out of the park.
“That’s one game we should really have won.”
Yorkshire are back in action on Monday when they welcome Roses rivals Lancashire to Emerald Headingley (6.35pm start and televised by Sky).
It is the first of four remaining games, with the top two in the group guaranteed a quarter-final spot and the two best third-placed finishers from the North, Central and South also advancing.
Notts are top of the North with 10 points, Lancashire second on eight, Leicestershire third on seven and Yorkshire fourth with six.
“It’s probably looking like we’ll need to win three,” added Lyth ahead of games against Lancashire twice, Durham and Derbyshire next week.
“If we do that, it will probably be enough. But one game at a time and play some good cricket.”