National Cricket League

Yorkshire versus Warwickshire

at Headingley, Leeds

Wednesday 6 August 2024

By Roy D Wilkinson


Yorkshire have entertained Warwickshire at Headingley on eleven occasions since 1974. Yorkshire have won four, tied one, lost five and one - the first, in 1974 - was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

The tie came in 1986 when Yorkshire were set the seemingly simple task of making just 163 to win. At 149 for 4 they were well in control, but four wickets (two to run outs) fell for just eight runs. Arnie Sidebottom and Simon Dennis scampered five runs but could not make the extra, vital, run to bring victory, so the points were shared.

1991 saw another tense finish and again Arnie Sidebottom was at the crease in the final moments. He had bowled his eight overs for just 22 runs and did much to restrict Warwickshire to 204 for 6 off their 40 overs. Again Yorkshire were going well in the run chase, but again failed at the last losing by just two runs, the final score being 202 for 8 wickets.

Yet another close finish came in 1996 when Warwickshire won by five runs. The visitors total of 205 for 9 wickets was built around 86 by Dominic Ostler. Michael Bevan and Richard Stemp between them bowled sixteen overs of spin for 72 runs and Darren Gough cut down the Warwickshire tail by taking three quick wickets. Yorkshire were well in control at 147 for 2 with ten overs left, David Byas (77) and Bevan (89) had added 140 in a second wicket partnership that had put Yorkshire in a commanding position but eight wickets fell for 54 runs, indeed in a frantic rush, five wickets fell for just eight runs in thirteen balls. Yorkshire lost a match they were, at one stage, winning at a canter.

Yorkshire made no mistake in the 2001 encounter when they won by the massive margin of 175 runs after making 234 for 6 in their 45 overs. The major contribution was from Matthew Wood who made a splendid 68 but good support came from Gavin Hamilton (24), Anthony McGrath (30), Darren Lehmann (39) and Gary Fellows (40 off 24 balls).

The came the fireworks. Chris Silverwood and Steve Kirby sent Warwickshire reeling and soon had them 12 for 6. There was no way back from that and Warwickshire were all out for 59 in just 15.2 overs.

In the first match of the 2003 campaign, at Birmingham, Yorkshire beat Warwickshire by 6 wickets. They will be determined to achieve the double on Wednesday.

So far, in this competition, Yorkshire have won 14 of the 32 matches played, tied 1, lost 17 and, in addition, 5 have been abandoned without a ball being bowled.