James Wharton was delighted to have scored his maiden List A century, and his first of the season in all formats, but more so to have helped Yorkshire confirm their semi-final place in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup today.
Wharton scored a superb 118 off 106 balls as Yorkshire totalled 301-9 in their final Group B fixture, against Kent at Canterbury, going on to win by 76 runs.
It was their seventh win in eight matches and sealed a last-four tie at Scarborough on Sunday, against the winners of Thursday’s quarter-final between Hampshire and Middlesex.
Wharton had posted scores of 84 and 85 in the two previous group games and had scored 12 fifties in all formats this season heading into today’s fixture.
The 24-year-old said: “It’s not been a monkey on the back, but getting to 80 and then getting out a few times this year has been quite frustrating. So to actually kick on and do it in a winning cause is quite nice.
“But it is what it is. I’d rather be getting out on 80 than not helping contribute to wins, so it’s sort of one of those (things). But it was nice to finally do it.
“I obviously want to be scoring hundreds for Yorkshire every time I’m out or every time I get in, but it’s obviously not always the case. If I’m contributing in a winning cause, that’s all I really care about.”
He continued: “This is what we set out to do (semi-final qualification).
“It’s something we’ve not had for a while, getting into these positions where we could kick on and get to a final. We’re really looking forward to it.”
Wharton today completed the set of centuries having now scored first-team tons in the County Championship and the T20 Blast.
“That is quite nice,” he said. “Lythy said, ‘Welcome to the club’ as soon as I walked up. So he let me know.”
Yorkshire’s team today included two first-team debutants in Will Bennison and Matthew Firbank, the latter who took the winning wicket as Kent were bowled out for 225.
Emerging batter Noah Kelly also took two catches having come onto the field as a substitute, the first being a stunning juggling effort on the long-on boundary.
“Outstanding,” he said of the Kelly catch to help Dom Bess remove Chris Benjamin.
“It’s so hard as well, being a 12th man. You’re sat down, you’re concentrating on the game, but you’re still talking rubbish on the side!
“Then to come on and take a catch, nearly stand over the rope, chuck it back over, I thought was outstanding.”
And on Firbank and Bennison, he added: “That’s 100 percent going to be the first of many for Firbs. He is a massive talent.
“The sky’s the limit for him and Benno. He’s an outstanding player.
“Obviously it didn’t go how he would have wanted it today, but I’m sure just going out and playing with all the lads was a great feeling for him.”
