Jaques on revenge mission for Yorkshire against Sydney Sixers (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Jaques on revenge mission for Yorkshire against Sydney Sixers

11:03pm Sunday 14th October 2012 in Sport By Graham Hardcastle

Phil Jaques has plenty of motivation to put one over Sydney Sixers in Tuesday’s mouthwatering Champions League t20 clash in Cape Town (12.30pm UK time).

The experienced opener will lead Yorkshire’s charge against Australia’s Big Bash League champions at the iconic Newlands ground as they open their Group B campaign.

Not only is Jaques mates with many of the Sydney team, having played with them for New South Wales, he also wants revenge after the Sixers beat his former team Hobart Hurricanes in the domestic semi-final earlier this year.

And, last but not least, he is desperate to get the White Rose off to a flying start.

“They knocked off my side in the semi-final and then beat Perth in the final,” explained Jaques, who lives in Sydney. “They’ve got some good young quicks with some dynamic batters.

“These are guys I’ve played with for years. It’s always good to play against your mates, and we’ll obviously be trying to stuff them the best way we can.”

Sydney boast a raft of household names, including Shane Watson and exciting Australian international fast bowling duo Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, who Yorkshire fans know plenty about.

“They’re two young players on the rise,’ continued Jaques. “They both bowl very fast. How we tackle those two will go a long way to setting up a win.

“Cummins is talented, although he’s had a few injuries. He swings the ball both ways with a good slower ball and bouncer, and he bowls 150kph.

“He’s got all the attributes. But the faster they bowl, the further they can go sometimes.”

Sydney won their opening match against Chennai Super Kings in Johannesburg today and they will be the favourites for Tuesday's clash with the majority – apart from the Yorkshire camp.

“We’re not here to make up the numbers. We don’t want to be tenth in the world, we want to be the best,” added Jaques.

Starc was the leading wicket-taker in the English domestic Twenty20 competition during the summer with 21 as Yorkshire made the final, and all eyes will be on him.

“He did fantastically well for us, and he’s setting the world alight in Twenty20 cricket,” added skipper Andrew Gale. “I believe he’s someone who will get to number one in the world in the short form at least.

“But I’ve always scored runs against him in our practice matches. We’re excited about playing against him.”