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Lancashire bow out after defeat

Anthony McGrath's match-winning display against Lancashire kept Yorkshire's Twenty20 Cup hopes alive at Old Trafford.

The former England all-rounder constructed a steady 52, before restricting the hosts with two for 18 in their pursuit of 157, securing a 15-run win for Yorkshire.

After the Phoenix elected to bat first in the Roses clash, Dominic Cork produced a fine bit of fielding off his own bowling in the first over to remove skipper Craig White.

After tucking up Michael Lumb, White was left stranded half way down the pitch, leaving Cork the easy task of throwing down the stumps.

Lumb then lost his wicket in the next over thanks to superb wicketkeeping from Gareth Cross.

The young gloveman dived down the leg side to complete a one-handed catch off the bowling of Oliver Newby.

At 11 for two in the second over, the sell-out Old Trafford crowd could have been forgiven for thinking their side were in the driving seat. But Darren Lehmann and McGrath had other ideas.

Yorkshire's star batsmen added 73 for the third wicket - even though McGrath could have been out three times.

In one Tom Smith over he was dropped by Cross on 14 and given not out to a ball which looked to be hitting middle and off half way up. He also seemed to get away with an edge behind off Gary Keedy.

With the pair ready to press the accelerator, Lehmann (30) was brilliantly caught and bowled by Simon Marshall (two for 26) down to his right - and Lancashire were back in business at 84 for three.

Andrew Gale followed to Keedy soon after, before McGrath reached his half-century off 42 balls.

McGrath could only add two more runs, and was trapped lbw by Marshall - the score 109 for five midway through the 14th over.

But Gerard Brophy and Richard Dawson both made vital knocks to take Yorkshire's final total to 156 for seven. Dawson (21) hit 16 off the 18th over, whilst Brophy finished unbeaten on 22.

In reply, Stuart Law smashed two brilliant sixes - off Deon Kruis and Mitchell Claydon - before Jason Gillespie removed him in the fifth over.

Law had carried the score to 38 - but he was bowled backing away to leg to attempt one stroke to many.

Nathan Astle, promoted up to opening the innings, was then dropped on 14 by Andrew Gale at deep square leg - but in the end it did not matter.

Having earlier showed his class with the bat, McGrath demonstrated it with the ball too to put Lancashire under pressure.

Astle could only add another eight before being caught off McGrath.

Having lost their two most attacking players, the hosts were unable to keep up with the required rate - and the Phoenix just chipped away.

Mark Chilton survived a close run out appeal - which had been referred to the third umpire - but McGrath was rewarded with his second wicket just a few balls later. Steven Croft made the catch at long-off.

Chilton tried his best with a useful 38, but Claydon and Kruis picked up two late wickets apiece to stem the flow of runs, and a total of 141 for nine dealt a major blow to Lancashire's hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

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