Miller magic fires up Yorkshire pursuit (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

David Miller magic fires up Yorkshire pursuit

5:39pm Tuesday 9th October 2012 in Sport By Graham Hardcastle

David Miller combated a suspected broken nose to carry Yorkshire to a stunning Champions League t20 qualifying win over UVA Next of Sri Lanka at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

The man Tykes second-team coach Paul Farbrace has nicknamed the county’s Lionel Messi demonstrated his magic touch after top-edging a bouncer from Umar Gul through his helmet grill during their pursuit of 151.

Miller retired hurt after the first ball of the 13th over with his side at 91-4, needing another 60 runs off seven overs to win.

But after wicketkeeper Dan Hodgson was bowled by part-time spinner Dilshan Munaweera with the second ball of the 19th over, the left-hander strode back to the crease with 18 needed off ten balls.

He subsequently walloped the next three balls for two fours and a six before later hitting the winning runs to clinch victory by five wickets with three balls to spare and finish unbeaten on 39 off 29 balls.

The left-hander, 23, was subsequently taken to hospital for a scan and immediately refused permission to fly back to Durban, where he was due to link up with the Dolphins squad tomorrow.

He will miss tomorrow’s second qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago at Centurion, where another win will see Yorkshire secure a place in Group B of the main draw.

“Full credit to Davey, he showed a lot of character,” said first-team coach Jason Gillespie, who saw Adil Rashid clinch the man-of-the-match award with a wicket and a crucial 36 not out off 30 deliveries.

“He came back out and hit his straps straight away. He knew that he was going to have to face Gul in that last over too.

“We’re not sure how bad the injury is but he’s in pretty good spirits. I think he’s on a high after the win.”

Steve Patterson had earlier claimed two victims as UVA lost four wickets in 27 balls to slip from 94-2 after 12.3 overs to 121-6.

Moin Ashraf also struck twice and Ryan Sidebottom, Rashid and Azeem Rafiq once each, while Thilina Kandamby top-scored with an unbeaten 29.