Yorkshire head coach Jason Gillespie praised Mark Wood after the Durham fast bowler produced two crucial spells that knocked the Vikings out of the t20 Blast at the semi-final stage.
Chasing 157, Yorkshire were well placed on 86-4 from 11 overs but from the 12th, Wood removed both Johnny Bairstow and Gary Ballance, and he returned to bowled the penultimate over, bowling Tim Bresnan and Liam Plunkett to end Yorkshire’s hopes as they fell seven short.
“He bowled beautifully, no doubt about that,” Gillespie said, “Durham brought him back on to take a wicket. We were going along nicely and to lose those two wickets – we didn’t recover from that.
“It was a fantastic game of cricket. I thought we were pretty decent in the field. Coming on and off the ground it was a bit wet, and the way the lads took to the task – really pleased with that.
“We finished strongly, but obviously disappointed to lose.
“Durham bowled and fielded very well, so full credit to them. We just weren’t able to win those key moments.
“We respect the fact that the opposition outplays you. He [Wood] was used very well by the captain: brought on to take wickets and that’s what happened at the end.”
Captain Alex Lees was left to lament a poor middle order display as, despite Yorkshire’s much heralded batting depth, after Adam Lyth’s 64 only Lees (22) and Jack Leaning (19) reached double figures. However, he praised his squad’s resilience to reach Finals Day after a poor start.
“We’re bitterly disappointed. I think we lacked somebody in the middle order to make a contribution. Obviously Woody tipped the scales, but somebody needed to get a 20 off ten or 30 off 20, or myself to get another 10, 15 runs and it’s a different game but I think we should have chased that.
“I think everybody had written us off after the first few games. We showed strength of character to comeback and qualify and reach Finals Day, so testament to the group of players we’ve got.
“But on the day today, we just weren’t good enough.”