BBC SPORT | Cricket | Counties | Cup kings topple Tykes

Benson & Hedges Cup semi-final: Gloucestershire 239-7 (50 overs) beat Yorkshire 142 (37.4 overs) by 97 runs

Cup holders Gloucestershire won through to their fifth successive Lord's final with a comprehensive victory at Headingley.

The teamwork instilled by coach John Bracewell served them well once again as Yorkshire failed to do themselves justice despite a line-up boasting eight players with Test experience

The home supporters could only watch in dismay as Yorkshire, who have not won a trophy for 14 years, pressed the self destruct button after being set a target of 240.

A stand of 59 between Craig White and Gavin Hamilton was the only crumb of comfort as they were bowled out with 12.1 overs of their innings remaining.

Yorkshire were outplayed in all departments and their day was typified by Australian Darren Lehmann's embarrassing dismissal.

He took two paces down the pitch after playing the ball to mid-off and failed to react as Chris Taylor threw the ball back to wicket-keeper Jack Russell, who removed the bails.

Consistent batting

Gloucestershire skipper Mark Alleyne chose to bat first after winning the toss despite the home team's all-star attack.

Yorkshire could afford to leave out Matthew Hoggard and still name five seam bowlers with Test experience for England in Gough, Chris Silverwood, Craig White, Ryan Sidebottom and Gavin Hamilton.

Chris Silverwood celebrates a wicket
Joy for Silverwood as he bowls Matt Windows

The Cup holders could not take any liberties with Gough, but his teammates failed to make the most of a helpful pitch.

Veteran Kim Barnett launched Gloucestershire's innings with 31 off 31 balls before he flashed at a wide one from Hamilton and was caught behind.

His stand of 48 was the highest of the innings but everyone bar Russell reached double figures as Gloucestershire again showed their ability to rise to the occasion.

Tim Hancock made 42 before he was run out by Gary Fellows' direct hit at the bowler's end, but the central innings was played by Matt Windows.

He batted for 137 minutes to make 54 and reached his half century by pulling Silverwood over mid-wicket for six, only to throw his wicket away next ball when he backed away to give himself room.

Ian Harvey scored 12 off eight balls, including a six and a four, before shouldering arms to a straight ball from Gough but Alleyne weighed in with 26 and Jeremy Snape made 25 not out at the death as they totalled 239 for seven.

Top order flops

Yorkshire needed to bat well and Michael Vaughan glanced a boundary to fine leg in the opening over - momentary relief for a player who only made seven runs in four innings for England during the NatWest Series.

Darren Lehmann is run out
Russell asks the question and Lehmann is gone

But James Averis produced a beauty to account for David Byas and a rush of blood cost youngster Michael Lumb his wicket, caught at second slip by Alleyne off Harvey.

Lehmann's dismissal for eight left Yorkshire on 24 for three and worse was to come as Vaughan (13) threw the bat at a wide ball from Harvey and was caught by Hancock, diving forward at deep third man.

Gary Fellows was lbw first ball to Averis, leaving White and Hamilton to try and rebuild the innings.

Both played some powerful shots before White was bowled by Alleyne for 25 and Hamilton was then adjudged lbw to spinner Martyn Ball for 31, although TV replays suggested there may have been an inside edge.

Richard Blakey batted sensibly for 35 off 40 balls but Yorkshire's day to forget ended with another run out when Sidebottom was beaten by Taylor's throw.

Yorkshire: D Byas (Capt), M P Vaughan, C White, D S Lehmann, M J Lumb, G M Fellows, R J Blakey (Wkt), G M Hamilton, D Gough, R J Sidebottom, C E W Silverwood.

Gloucestershire: T H C Hancock, K J Barnett, C G Taylor, M G N Windows, I J Harvey, M W Alleyne (Capt), R C Russell (Wkt), J N Snape, M C J Ball, J M M Averis, M J Cawdron.


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