Root's brisk fifty goes in vain as Lancashire pip Yorkshire in last ball thriller

Root remained unbeaten on 51 off 22 deliveries.

Published - 21 Jul 2018, 13:12 IST | Updated - 21 Jul 2018, 13:12 IST

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The Vitality Blast is turning out to be a very exciting league this season. The matches are going down the wire and the buzz around the T20 competition is immense. Recently, in the North Group fixture, team Lancashire pipped the much fancied Yorkshire side in a game that can safely be assumed to be the most exciting game of the season thus far.

It was a last ball thriller that saw the Lancs eke out a one run win in the match. The match was reduced to 14-over per side after the rain intervention on the day. Yorkshire won the toss and opted to field first. In walked Lancashire openers, Jos Buttler and Liam Livingstone, to open the innings. Buttler, who has been in the prime of his cricketing life in the recent months failed to deliver in the game.

Livingstone, the Lancs skipper, on the other hand, managed to top score for his side with 79 off 37 deliveries. Arron Lilley (42* off 20 balls) and Jordan Clark (36* off 17 balls) provided the final flourish as Lancashire finished with 176/2 in their 14 overs.

In response, Yorkshire stunned the Lancs with an onslaught from Adam Lyth. Lyth blasted 60 off just 26 balls with 6 sixes to his name. A couple of wickets saw Lancs get back in the game. But the English Test skipper had other plans. Joe Root surprised everyone yet again with a thundering unbeaten 51 off mere 22 deliveries. He looked in sublime form.

The match went down to the final ball with Kane Williamson and Joe Root at the crease. 16 runs were needed to win off the final over. Root smashed three boundaries before switching strikes on the penultimate delivery of the game. Williamson was on strike as Yorkshire needed 3 to win with Toby Lester bowling the final over. A big heave from Williamson could only fetch a couple of runs for the Yorks as they lost by a run.