Yorkshire began their Champions League Twenty20 group campaign with a pitiful eight-wicket defeat against the rampant Sydney Sixers yesterday
Having qualified for the tournament proper after winning both their qualifying matches, the Tykes were brought swiftly back down to earth when they were restricted to a meagre 96 for nine today, with only Joe Root (25) and Phil Jaques (21) offering any real resistance.
That total was never likely to cause problems for Sydney and Michael Lumb’s unbeaten 43 off just 24 balls saw them race to victory before the ninth over.
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Michael Lumb scored 43 off 24 balls. Pic/Getty Images
It was a humbling way to start their campaign but the Friends Life T20 runners-up got off to a great start after winning the toss and opting to bat first.
From 24 without loss at the end of the third over, Yorkshire had slumped to 43 for two after 10 although Root led a recovery of sorts, punching Shane Watson over mid-wicket for six before being bowled in the next over by a delivery that looked to have kept low from Moises Henriques.
Yorkshire’s lower order looked to swing their way out of trouble but they lost six wickets in the last five overs and could not even reach three figures in the end.
Starc, was the pick of the bowlers with three for 22 while Hazlewood conceded just nine runs from his four overs.
Watson highlighted the Sixers’ intent by bludgeoning a six and then a four in the first over.
Although the recently-completed ICC World Twenty20’s man of the series perished after swatting Ryan Sidebottom to deep square leg, it failed to halt the Sydney juggernaut.
Captain Haddin fell for 41 with the finish line in sight — caught in the deep off Azeem Rafiq with the first ball of the ninth over — it was short respite and Yorkshireman Lumb struck the winning runs.u00a0
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