Cricket latest: Yorkshire outfoxed by Leicestershire in T20

The all-rounder took three for 18 as the visitors were bowled out for 144 at Grace Road and then hit a superb unbeaten 59 to guide the hosts to a crushing win with 22 balls to spare.

McDonald and Josh Cobb shared an opening stand of 74 in eight overs and then, following the dismissal of Will Jefferson, James Taylor joined the Australian in an unbroken match-winning third-wicket partnership of 63 off 41 balls.

Yorkshire, having been put into bat, made a good start and were 73 for one by the ninth over. Captain Andrew Gale led by example with an excellent half-century.

But he had little support and his side were unable to maintain the early momentum, losing the last nine wickets for 71 runs in the final 12 overs.

Gale was the only batsman to offer any real resistance to the home attack, making 67 off 56 balls with six boundaries before being eighth out when he was caught at deep mid-wicket off Harry Gurney. The left-arm seamer finished with three for 26, claiming all his three wickets in his final over.

But it was McDonald who created the biggest problems for Yorkshire, picking up the vital wickets of Adam Lyth, Jonny Bairstow and Gary Ballance. After Gale the next highest scorer for Carnegie was Ajmal Shahzad, who slammed 20 off 11 balls including a massive six off Cobb.

On a good pitch Yorkshire’s total never looked enough and Cobb and McDonald gave the Foxes just the start they needed to set up victory.

Cobb continued his splendid form at the top of the order, making 46 off 25 balls with six boundaries and two sixes off Shahzad.

The Yorkshire paceman went for 43 runs off his three overs and the only successes for the visitors were the two wickets of Cobb and Jefferson - both snared by Richard Pyrah.

But McDonald and Taylor ensured victory for the Foxes with a splendid partnership, McDonald finishing unbeaten on 59 off 47 balls while Taylor showed his class with a bright and breezy 33 off 22 balls.

It was Leicestershire’s fifth win of the season and they remained second in the north group table.