MOMENTUM is a word regularly used by players and coaches when talking about T20 more than in any other format.

After three wins from their first four group games in the Vitality Blast, Yorkshire have it and Gary Ballance is hoping they run with it.

The Vikings are on a roll, no doubt.

They have secured the double over a Durham side who have win their other three matches and added the scalp of North Group leaders Worcestershire to those successes.

They currently sit nicely placed inside the top four quarter-final qualifying places with six points, with their only defeat so far against Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston.

Next up it’s the big one, county cricket’s premier clash – Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford tomorrow night (6.30pm).

The Red Rose county say they are approaching a 23,500 sell out, with only restricted view tickets left.

It is no surprise really. All England players are available, aside from Jimmy Anderson and Jonny Bairstow, while the Red Rose are also going well.

Liam Livingstone’s side have won their last three matches.

In-form Vikings batsman Ballance said: “It was good to get a win against a good Worcester side on Sunday.

“We’re playing some good cricket, and hopefully we can go into the Roses game and get a win at Old Trafford.

“We’ve bounced back really well from that defeat at Edgbaston.

“We played some good cricket up at Durham, defended a low score, and at Worcester I thought it was a good all-round team performance. Everyone contributed.

“To get two wins out of two is great, and hopefully we can carry this momentum forwards.

“We have got some internationals coming in, which will definitely help us.

“The Roses T20, home or away, is always a great occasion, and hopefully we can get a win there.

“Lancashire are a good side. They know their home conditions well with some match-winners. They have Jos Buttler available. We know he’s a quality player and one of the best around. But hopefully we can keep him quiet.”

The way Yorkshire are playing at present is a reminder of their most successful season so far in the history of T20 when, in 2012, they reached the domestic final and then qualified for the group stages of the Champions League in South Africa.

Mitchell Starc and David Miller were their overseas players, with the likes of Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root contributing alongside Ballance, current coach Gale and his assistant Rich Pyrah amongst others.

That team advanced seamlessly, all knowing their roles.

Seven of that squad are still in Vikings colours, Adam Lyth, Root, Ballance, Bairstow, Azeem Rafiq, Tim Bresnan and Adil Rashid.

And, after the Worcester game, coach Gale said of the current team: “We look like a well oiled unit.”

It was a comment which certainly fitted well with the class of 2012.

“There are similarities, yes,” added Ballance.

“There are different players from that year, but those of us who are still around have good memories from that year. We will try and use them to push us on again.”

Tomorrow’s clash will be televised on Sky Sports.

Yorkshire squad: Patterson (capt), Ballance, Bresnan, Brook, Lyth, Plunkett, Rafiq, Rashid, Root, Tattersall (wkt), Thompson, Williamson, Willey.