Lyth’s 131 powers Yorkshire to the edge of quarter-finals

Lyth goes big.

Opener Adam Lyth smashed 131, anchoring Yorkshire’s innings. It was a dominant knock with big hitting and controlled the game from the top.Yorkshire post a huge total. Built around Lyth’s century, Yorkshire put up a commanding score and put the opposition under immediate pressure. Result puts Yorkshire in knockout position. The win takes Yorkshire to the brink of the quarter-finals. One more win or favorable results should seal their spot in the last 8.

Lyth posted 131 not out off 64 balls as Yorkshire made 207 for 4, sharing 91 for the first wicket with captain Jonny Bairstow, to set up a sixth win in 10 games for a side who started the day second in the North Group.

England allrounder Rehan Ahmed struck three times with his legspin for Leicestershire, whose chase fell from 50 without loss in the fourth over to 59 for 4 in the sixth to all but end their chances.

Rehan contributed 30 with the bat for a Leicestershire side whose quarter-final hopes are all but over following a sixth defeat in nine. Ben Cox top-scored with 47 off 34 balls in 166 for nine, while AJ Tye's skilful seam accounted for 4 for 15. Pakistan seamer Hasan Ali also impressed with 4 for 25.

Yorkshire started well as Lyth pulled Alex Green's seam for six over deep midwicket en route to 50 without loss after five overs. Lyth reached 50 shortly before Bairstow, who lacked rhythm for 28, was lbw to Rehan in the 10th over.

Lyth’s 131 was the difference-maker. It was a captain’s/anchor knock that not only won the match but also boosted Yorkshire’s net run rate and confidence heading into the final group games.

Rehan played nicely in a bid to rectify things and found a partner in Cox. However, that four-wicket powerplay burst had just done too much damage. Their 52-stand needed to be doubled at least, but Rehan holed out to long-on off Matthew Revis - 111 for 5 in the 12th.

Cox miscued Hasan's seam to mid-off before Tye struck again to oust Ben Green. And that really was that at 159 for 7 in the 18th. Hasan struck twice more late on and also finished with two catches.