Anthony McGrath speaks on Yorkshire's chances in one-day cup

gazetteherald.co.uk NaN days ago

A repeat of the 2023 last-four fixture sees the White Rose take on Hampshire at Scarborough tomorrow (Tuesday, July 21).

Last summer, Yorkshire topped Group B with seven wins from eight matches, only to fall to an 18-run defeat on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in the semi-final.

Anthony McGrath, head coach of Yorkshire, said: "We were disappointed with the semi last year because, on form, we were probably the most consistent team.

"We want to attack and make sure that we're good this year as well.

"It's a good test to start with.

"I think we've got a tough group.

"As we know, everyone loses players, and there'll be players coming in.

"I think it's a competition where you've got to try and start well, and the games come thick and fast."

Yorkshire will be without several key players who are involved in The Hundred, including Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Matthew Revis, Adil Rashid, and Joe Root.

The side will also be missing last year's leading run-scorer Imam-ul-Haq and top wicket-taker Matt Milnes.

Hampshire will also be without a number of first-team regulars, including Liam Dawson and James Vince.

They will be captained by Nick Gubbins, the leading run-scorer in last year’s competition with 707 runs.

Hampshire have named Kyle Abbott as their overseas player, while Australian Jake Lehmann qualifies as a local due to his British passport.

Yorkshire begin the competition on the back of a dramatic Vitality Blast quarter-final defeat to Somerset.

Somerset chased 162 to win with one ball to spare, recovering from 82-8 after 14.3 overs thanks to a remarkable unbeaten 79 from Craig Overton.

McGrath said: "That mentality has got to be there for when we meet up and train on Monday.

"My job is to, I guess, reiterate what we've done really well in the white-ball this year and what we did well in the 50-overs last year and make sure we start well with that mentality, because we've seen throughout – when we have the right mentality and the belief – we've got the makings of a good team.

"We're obviously not quite there yet, we're not quite getting over the line.

"But I think everyone can see how we've played this summer.

"We've just got to keep building on that.

"You can either sulk about these things or we've got to use it as fuel.

"And we've got to learn from it."

The One-Day Cup format remains unchanged.

A total of 18 counties are split into two groups, with the top three from each progressing to the knockout stage.

Group winners will host a home semi-final on Sunday, August 16.

Hampshire last won the competition in 2019.

Yorkshire are seeking their first limited-overs trophy since 2002.

Yorkshire will play four away and four home games, with Yorkshire’s home fixtures split between Scarborough and York.

Yorkshire are at home to Worcestershire Rapids at Clifton Park in York on Wednesday, July 29 before another game at home to Durham at the same venue on Friday, July 31. Both fixtures start at 11am.