Yorkshire at 150: One-day triumph unmatched for Blakey

Richard Blakey, who led Yorkshire to the 2002 Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy, said he puts that achievement ahead of representing his country, which he did twice in Tests and there times in one-day internationals.

Blakey, the former batsman/wicketkeeper, presided over the six-wicket victory against Somerset at Lord’s. It was the first time since 1969 Yorkshire had won the trophy formerly known as the Gillette Cup, and the proudest moment of Blakey’s career.

“Of all my cricketing moments, that was the most special,” he recalled.

“I would put it in front of playing for England. Don’t get me wrong, playing for my country was a tremendous feeling and a wonderful honour. But to lift a trophy for Yorkshire in front of a full house and partisan crowd at Lord’s – it doesn’t really get much better than that.”

Blakey, 45, was vice-captain that summer, taking over when club captain Darren Lehmann went home early.

He also led Yorkshire to their only two Championship wins that campaign as they were relegated just one year after winning the title.

“It was a strange old season,” said Blakey. “We’d had a fantastic year in 2001 and I don’t know whether we subconsciously took our foot off the gas or what, but, for some reason, we struggled to perform in the Championship.

“In the one-day stuff it was a different story – we often won comfortably with our top-order firing.

“The crowd that day (for the final) seemed to be full of Yorkshiremen, and the lads celebrated long into the night.

“We all had our family and friends down with us and it was a special occasion.”