Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Anthony McGrath remains confident regarding Yorkshire’s knockout qualification chances.
Anthony McGrath was far from downbeat after today’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup defeat against Somerset at York.
The county’s head watched his side lose their first game in four in Group B, by six wickets defending 248, but remains confident they can qualify for the knockouts.
Yorkshire remain top of Group B on 12 points from four games. Having won three games convincingly, they are ahead of Somerset courtesy of a superior net run-rate.
Yorkshire would qualify for knockout cricket with a top-three finish in the group. Top spot would advance them directly to a home semi-final, second and third place would see them play a quarter-final.
“Having been really, really good in the first three games, we were below our best today, which can happen,” said McGrath.
“Somerset bowled well up front. When you lose three wickets in the powerplay, it’s always tough. With Matthew Revis (85) and George Hill (41), we got it back to 170-odd with 35 overs gone. Then we just lost wickets at key times.
“In the end, we were probably 30 short. Even so, we were bowled out for eight balls left. Another 20 runs, it would’ve been tight.
“With the ball, we had to get early wickets, and we just couldn’t quite do that. But we fought hard until the end.
“If we were going to win that, we had to get wickets to drive the run-rate up. While they had wickets in hand, it was always going to be tough.
“But, look, after four games, we’ve got to look at the positives from the last 10 days, refresh and be ready for (Middlesex at) Radlett on Sunday.
“Three wins from four is a good start. If we’d have won today, It would have put us in a brilliant position. But everyone’s got to play everyone still. There’s no reason not to be confident with how we’ve gone about it.”
Matthew Revis was Yorkshire’s standout player today with a List A best of 85 added to two wickets, the all-rounder continuing his excellent recent form against white ball and red.
McGrath added: “We know he’s got to be careful with his back (following a stress fracture around this time last year). But I think his bowling is coming back now where we know it can be.
“He’s a genuine all-rounder.
“His batting, it’s superb in all forms. It’s great to see him play with that confidence.”
