Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Kuldeep Yadav in action against Worcestershire yesterday.
If Kuldeep Yadav is as good a soothsayer as he is a bowler, there will be a lot of folk around Headingley who will be pretty chuffed soon enough.
The Indian overseas wrist spinner is “loving” life with Yorkshire.
He has only been here for a week, playing three games, but he’s settled in like a dream and has seen enough to make a couple of positive predictions.
“We have a good squad, and we’ve got all bases covered,” he said of Yorkshire’s chances of silverware in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.
“It’s just taking it game by game. It’s very important to just focus on day by day and keep going. It’s a long competition, and we’ve still got four (group) games to go.
“If we keep winning, the way we’re playing it’s going to be a very smooth road to the semi-final and the final.”
So, team first. But what about a certain individual, Will Luxton?
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Kuldeep Yadav has been impressed with what he’s seen of Will Luxton.
Back-to-back centuries for the emerging opener, and the India international is suitably impressed.
“He’s the future of England,” said Kuldeep. “The first game I saw him, (Glamorgan), he was tracking very well. He only got 25-30 runs, but the way he batted was so good to watch.
“He has a good technique, plus good hands as well. He’s a very smooth batter.
“Even in the last game against Sussex, it wasn’t an easy wicket, but he batted really well there. Here, it was a masterclass.
“I’m sure he’ll find his place in England very soon.
“I’m looking forward to playing against him. As of now, I’m very happy that he’s a part of our team. The way he’s batting, I love to watch him.”
Kuldeep spoke at York last night after the county’s win over defending champions Worcestershire, one which leaves them second after four of eight games. They have won three of those.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Kuldeep Yadav claimed two wickets in an over against Worcestershire yesterday. both with googlies.
Tomorrow, they face Durham at the same venue, 11am start. They have won three from three and are also in the mix for a top-three finish and knockout cricket.
It’s a sellout at Clifton Park, with former England Test captain Ben Stokes set to appear for Durham.
“Unfortunately I’ve never got a chance to play in the same team (as Stokes),” said Kuldeep. “But he’s a very good man, very competitive. As a leader, he’s been very good.
“Mostly, the thing I like about him is the fight he always gives.
“Playing against him has been very challenging as well. Sometimes he’s been on top, sometimes I’ve been on top. So, on Friday, I’m sure it’ll be a good game for us.”
As aforementioned, Kuldeep has settled in well with Yorkshire, for whom he will play the next three group games before heading off for international duty with India. He would miss any potential quarter or semi-final tie should the county qualify, but he returns to play three Championship matches in the final block of six.
He was recommended to Yorkshire by Moeen Ali.
Picture by Naomi Baker/Getty Images. Moeen Ali played a central role in Kuldeep Yadav’s move to Yorkshire.
“So far so good,” he said. “I’m loving it, to be very honest. It’s lovely to be here, and I’m very happy.
“If you talk about team-mates, they’ve been very supportive throughout the last week. Playing here, lovely experience, lovely conditions we’re experiencing. And then winning three back-to-back games, which makes us all happy.”
He went on: “I wasn’t playing in the ODIs (for India against England), so I thought I’d need some game time before heading back for the Test series.
“I spoke to Moeen, and he said he’d figure it out.
“He said, ‘Just give me one day’. The next morning, I got a call from the manager (Gavin Hamilton) as well. Everything was very clear, they showed interest in me. I was welcomed, and it was good.
“Moeen bhai has been very good over the years. As a human being, he’s been so good. I’ve been in touch with him for six or seven years, and he’s been so good.”
Durham head to York in buoyant mood.
Picture by Stu Forster/Getty Images. Ben Stokes bowls against Glamorgan at South North’ yesterday.
Middlesex, Yorkshire and Durham – in that order – all sit on 12 points in the three qualifying places in Group B. Yorkshire have played a game more, however, and have lost one. The other two have 100 percent records.
Yesterday, Durham beat Glamorgan at South Northumberland CC, chasing down a target of 327 having been 97-6 in the 18th over.
Stokes fell for a golden duck before former Yorkshire all-rounder Will Rhodes hit a stunning 148 not out off 122 balls to secure a three-wicket win with three balls to spare.
Former Yorkshire fast bowler Duanne Olivier is with Durham as an overseas player and featured against Glamorgan yesterday – his first game of the competition. He has also played one Championship match.
They are captained by seam-bowling all-rounder Kasey Aldridge in this competition, leading a team which includes club captain Alex Lees and England Test opener Emilio Gay.
YORKSHIRE v DURHAM, LIST A CRICKET 1973-2025 – STAT PACK
Results (home and away): Played 35; Yorkshire won 20, Durham won 13; No Result 2 (Abandoned 1).
At York. This is Durham’s first visit to York for a List A match.
Most recent results: 2025 – Yorkshire won by 212 runs at Scarborough; 2018 – Yorkshire won by 142 runs at Chester-le-Street. Most recent Durham win – 2016 by 15 runs at Chester-le-Street.
Most successive wins: Yorkshire, 5 (1996-1998). Durham, 6 (2005-2008).
Highest innings totals: For Yorkshire, 354-7 (50 overs) at Scarborough in 2025. For Durham, 335-5 (50 overs) at Headingley in 2017.
Lowest innings totals: For Yorkshire, 122 (39.5/40 overs) at Chester-le-Street in 2007. For Durham, 121 (30.4/40 overs) at Scarborough in 1997.
Highest individual score: For Yorkshire, 174 by JM Bairstow at Headingley in 2017. For Durham, 124* by JP Maher at Chester-le-Street in 2006.
Highest partnerships: For Yorkshire, 189 for the second wicket between JM Bairstow (174) and JE Root (55) at Headingley in 2017. For Durham, 139 for the second wicket between W Larkins (114) and PWG Parker (54) at Headingley in 1993.
Best bowling figures: For Yorkshire, 4-9 (12 overs) by CM Old at Middlesbrough in 1978. For Durham, 5-15 (11.4 overs) by BR Lardner at Harrogate in 1973.
Hat-tricks: None by either county in this series.
Most dismissals in an innings by a wicketkeeper: For Yorkshire, 5 (3 ct, 2 st) by RJ Blakey at Chester-le-Street in 2002. For Durham, 4 (3 ct, 1 st) by P Mustard at Chester-le-Street in 2005.
Most catches in an innings by a fielder: For Yorkshire, 3 by AP Grayson at Durham in 1994 and by C White at Headingley in 1998. No Durham fielder has taken more than two catches in an innings in this series.
A half-century and four wickets in a match: For Yorkshire, 64 and 4-18 by C White at Scarborough in 1997 and 50 and 4-19 by GM Fellows at Headingley in 2002. No instance for Durham in this series.
At York…
This is Durham’s first visit to York for a List A game. A total of 11 counties have played against Yorkshire in 11 matches from 2021 to 2026. Yorkshire have won six and lost four, there being one ‘No Result’. The overall records for the ground are as follows.
Highest innings totals: For Yorkshire, 353-5 (50 overs) v Northamptonshire in 2022. Against Yorkshire, 320 (44.2/50 overs) by Northamptonshire in 2022.
Lowest innings totals: For Yorkshire, 134 (31.1/50 overs) v Hampshire in 2023. Against Yorkshire, 212 (44/50 overs) by Sussex in 2024.
Highest individual score: For Yorkshire, 143 by WAR Fraine v Northamptonshire in 2022. Against Yorkshire, 105 by TJ Prest for Hampshire in 2023.
Best bowling figures: For Yorkshire, 4-26 (6 overs) by MW Pillans v Nottinghamshire in 2021. Against Yorkshire, 4-34 (9.4 overs) by JT Ball for Somerset in 2025.
Compiled by Paul Dyson, Peter Horne and Martyn Webster – members of the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians.
