Yorks bag thrilling win as Vaughan quits (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Yorks bag thrilling win as Vaughan quits

10:30pm Sunday 3rd August 2008 in Sport By Steve Crossman

Yorkshire’s director of cricket Martyn Moxon will welcome Michael Vaughan back to Headingley with open arms after he announced his resignation as England skipper today.

But if their performance against Leicestershire is anything to go by, the Tykes top order might not need him.

They smashed over 300 in a thrilling one-run Pro 40 victory over the Foxes.

Moxon said: “I hope he can clear his head, come back to Yorkshire and get loads of runs.

“If he wants there to be, I’m sure there’s a lot of cricket left in him.

“He was very proud to be England captain and I’m disappointed for him. It wasn’t an easy decision for him and he won’t have done it lightly but obviously he feels it’s the right time.”

Yorkshire haven’t been at their best in the County Championship of late and Moxon knows that a returning Vaughan could have a big impact.

“I can only see him being an asset for Yorkshire,” he added. “I still rate him very highly as a cricketer and he’s obviously got a lot of experience and knowledge to bring to the Yorkshire dressing room as we’ve got a number of young players here.”

As if in response to Vaughan’s imminent return, Yorkshire Carnegie’s openers Jacques Rudolph and Andrew Gale put on an excellent 170 for the first wicket at Headingley as the home side edged a real classic.

Gale dashed to a superb 89 from 82 balls but he was outdone by Rudolph who stroked a majestic 120 from just 97 balls.

“I’ve been struggling with my tempo and my rhythm lately but the longer I batted the easier it became,” said Rudolph after the game.

“It’s nice to bat with someone like Andrew Gale who can help me and give me the opportunity to get runs. I think we batted perfectly today.”

Yorkshire set a mammoth target of 304 to win but a sensational chase saw the Foxes fall just a run short in a game that saw no less than 21 maximums.

Dillon du Preez was still there at the end following a brilliant knock of 107 from just 65 balls.

It took some fantastic death bowling to stop him from winning an incredible game as Darren Gough and Rana Naved kept their cool to ensure the hosts triumphed.

Rana brought the game home in the final over when, after du Preez brought up his century from 61 balls with an outside edge for four, the pace bowler fired in two crucial dot balls.

He then allowed only two further singles before the final delivery to du Preez with the Foxes needing a six to win.

The South African could only manage a four as the ball bounced twice before the rope, Yorkshire somehow battening down the hatches late on to squeeze home.