Anthony McGrath is relishing tomorrow's Friends Provident Trophy clash with Lancashire at Old Trafford because Roses cricket brings out the best in him.

The Yorkshire vice-captain has an enviable record against the Red Rose county in all forms of cricket in recent times. He even scored a brilliant unbeaten 135 in last season's Friends Provident game at Old Trafford.

He boasts an average of 59.5 against Lancashire in all forms of cricket over the last three years, including the Pro Arch pre-season game in Abu Dhabi in March.

"I personally love playing against Lancashire, and even Old Trafford, because the games tend to be spicy," said the 32 year-old.

"The crowd is always bigger in these clashes than they are anywhere else in county cricket. That makes it really enjoyable for us guys to play in, whether it be at Headingley or at Old Trafford."

The first competitive clash of 2008 between the arch rivals has taken on an extra importance, with the winner taking top spot in the North Division.

Lancashire currently lead the way, but a shocking defeat at home to Scotland last Monday means the Tykes are lurking only one point behind.

"I think with the way the recent results have gone, the trophy is going our way at the moment," said McGrath.

"Durham have lost three games in a row, Lancashire lost to Scotland. I think that we now need to win three out of our last five games to be assured of qualifying."

McGrath said: "Championship cricket is always the top priority. But we have let ourselves down in one-day cricket over recent years - and it is something that Goughy and Martyn Moxon have discussed. We needed to improve and, apart from the first game against Durham, I think that we have done that."

The Tykes will be without England Lions pair Adil Rashid and Matthew Hoggard for tomorrow's clash.

And they are almost certain to be without England Test captain Michael Vaughan, who will tomorrow be named in the national squad for the first Test.

England will tell Yorkshire tonight whether Vaughan can play another game of county cricket, but it seems unlikely.

But captain Darren Gough said: "We're missing a couple of players, and we'll have to reshuffle our line-up. We know we'll be without Adil Rashid and Michael Vaughan - they're two big players we're losing, and we'll have to fill those gaps. David Wainwright will come in. He did really well for us in one-day cricket last year."

Meanwhile, Ben Sanderson returned match figures of 10-81 as Yorkshire Seconds beat Nottinghamshire by an innings and 55 runs at Stamford Bridge.

Sanderson took 6-30 in 12 overs as Notts were bowled out for 101, adding to his earlier 4-51.

9:28am Saturday 10th May 2008

Print

Email this