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Rudolph & McGrath seal Tykes win

category: Cricket

17.06.2008 22:26

Leicestershire's 154-3 - helped by Hilton Ackerman hitting 57 off 51 balls - never looked enough as the Foxes slumped to a fourth straight defeat.

A third-wicket stand of 121 between Anthony McGrath and Jacques Rudolph took Yorkshire to the brink of victory after Michael Vaughan's early run out.

Yorkshire needed seven from the final over and managed only four singles before Taylor's fine six over long on.

Taylor was only playing because of a back injury to Craig White but held his nerve in a tense last over sent down by James Allenby.

There had been a dramatic start to their innings with Gerard Brophy dismissed by Nadeem Malik in the second over and then England captain Vaughan run out in the third over in unfortunate circumstances.

Vaughan turned to take what he thought would be a comfortable second run but suddenly saw his partner Andrew Gale lying on the floor at the far end of the pitch, having collapsed with a twisted ankle.

Before Vaughan could get back to his crease, a direct throw from Jacques du Toit had hit the stumps. Gale also had to exit the field because of the injury, leaving McGrath and Rudolph to come out as the new batsmen.

After a cautious start, they warmed to the task of chasing the runs, gradually accelerating with a series of excellent attacking shots.

McGrath, who had scored a half-century in the previous game against Derbyshire reached another off 41 balls with six fours and a six and was soon followed by Rudolph, whose 50 came off 42 balls with five fours and a six.

Then both were out in successive overs, giving the Foxes a glimmer of a chance of snatching victory. McGrath was caught in the deep off Allenby and in the 19th over Rudolph was bowled by Dillon du Preez for 56. But Taylor and Tim Bresnan saw Yorkshire home.

Original text is here

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