9:39AM, Sat Jun 23, 2012

Friends Life T20: Yorkshire Beat Durham By 12 Runs At Chester-Le-Street

David Miller: Hit 74 not out against former employers

Azeem Rafiq made history as he captained Yorkshire to a 12-run victory over Durham in a Friends Life t20 clash at Emirates Durham ICG.

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With regular skipper Andrew Gale sidelined through injury, the 21-year-old became the youngest man to take charge of the White Rose county in a competitive match, as well as the first of Asian origin.

Rafiq scored four not out and took 1-36 on his big night, though it was David Miller who was the hero for the Tykes with a half-century against his old county.

The South African, whose top score of 54 for Durham last year came against Yorkshire, thrashed six sixes in an unbeaten 74 off 35 balls to take the visitors to a competitive 171-6.

Missed opportunity

Adam Lyth made 30 off 20 balls and Joe Root also batted superbly to make 41, though Jonny Bairstow failed to make the most of his opportunity in the middle after dashing up the motorway.

The England international, who had travelled up from Headingley after the final one-dayer against the West Indies had been washed out earlier in the day, had just two to his name when he was bowled by Ben Stokes.

Durham looked to be on course in their reply, however, when they were 113-2, only to lose their last eight wickets for 46 runs to be bowled out for 159.

Herschelle Gibbs was the key wicket, departing for 76, made off 47 balls, when he drove seamer Moin Ashraf to extra cover.

From then on the hosts fell in a heap, Ryan Sidebottom picking up three wickets in his second spell to finish with his best T20 figures of 4- 25.

Australian Mitchell Starc wrapped up the match with two wickets in as many balls, bowling Mitchell Claydon and Graham Onions for ducks. The win puts Yorkshire joint top of the North Group with Nottinghamshire.