Matthew Waite reflected on Yorkshire’s superb all-round performance in victory over Warwickshire at York in the Royal London Cup today.
Waite smashed 42 not out off 16 balls and took two wickets in a game which saw the Vikings post 320-7 and later win by 39 runs.
Gary Ballance, George Hill and Jonny Tattersall all posted half-centuries, while Hill and Ben Coad both finished with three wickets.
In the field, Will Luxton affected a brilliant direct hit run out fielding at deep mid-wicket as Yorkshire won for the second time in five matches to maintain their hopes of knockout qualification with three rounds remaining.
“It’s good to get over the line,” said Waite.
“We’ve been building towards that throughout the competition, and it’s a nice feeling to get the win.
“The way Harry Duke and Gary Ballance came back from that (0-2) and soaked up the pressure, they built a good partnership and allowed other lads to come in with a bit of freedom towards the end.”
Waite’s contribution with the bat included three sixes and three fours in the final over from Ethan Brookes as 32 came from it. Thirty of those came from Waite’s blade alone.
“That’s the most runs I’ve ever hit in an over,” he said, reflecting on one particular strike which cleared the scoreboard at the City End of the ground by a distance.
“I enjoyed that one, I can’t lie!
“I’ve not had too much time in the middle, so it was nice to come in and do that.
“I wasn’t even thinking about the score, I was trying to think about what I do best when I strike the ball well.
“After the no ball (at the start of the over), I just tried to stand still and clear the ropes. It came off, thankfully.”
He continued: “320’s a lot. But, at York, it’s a quick outfield and a small ground. It wasn’t going to be easy to defend.
“They’ve had a couple of lads who have gone well in Yates and Pollock.
“But Coady bowled brilliantly up top and kept it tight, and Hilly through the middle and towards the end was superb.”
On the Luxton run out of Will Rhodes, breaking a half-century stand with Michael Burgess for the third wicket, he said: “That run out was one of the best I’ve ever seen and probably will ever see.
“To get up after he’d fumbled it and to throw the stumps down, it was unbelievable.
“They were building a good partnership, so it changed the game for us.”
Yorkshire return to Clifton Park on Friday to face Nottinghamshire (11am).
Waite added: “We’re not trying not to get too high when we win and too low when we lose. Notts are a good side, but we’ll see what Friday brings.”
