Yorkshire CCC - highs and lows of 2020

The 2020 cricket season is over for Yorkshire CCC. It was short and sweet. Here, Chris Waters looks at the highs and lows.
By Chris Waters
Published 21st Sep 2020, 17:00 BST
Cricket returned in August - A general view (GV) of Emerald Headingley as Yorkshire played Lancashire in front of the empty stands (Picture: SWPix.com)Cricket returned in August - A general view (GV) of Emerald Headingley as Yorkshire played Lancashire in front of the empty stands (Picture: SWPix.com)
Cricket returned in August - A general view (GV) of Emerald Headingley as Yorkshire played Lancashire in front of the empty stands (Picture: SWPix.com)

Season’s high: Actually getting the season started

At one point cricket looked unlikely due to the pandemic. There were several delays before an August start was finally confirmed. Hopes that spectators would be allowed to attend, however, were cruelly dashed. Planned spectator pilots – including at Emerald Headingley – did not proceed.

Season’s low: Racism allegations against YCCC

Season's low - Azeem Rafiq racism allegationsSeason's low - Azeem Rafiq racism allegations
Season's low - Azeem Rafiq racism allegations

The season was overshadowed off the field by former player Azeem Rafiq’s claims that he was racially abused while playing for the club, which he said drove him to the brink of committing suicide. Rafiq accused the club of “institutional racism” and an investigation is under way.

Top performer: Jordan Thompson

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Difficult to look beyond the Leeds-born all-rounder, who was not even down to play in the first match but took his chance after fellow all-rounder Matthew Waite went down injured. Thompson was Yorkshire’s leading wicket-taker in the Bob Willis Trophy with 15 at 16.40, and his batting average in the tournament of 46.80 (234 runs) was second only to Dawid Malan (66.40). Thompson was also the club’s joint-leading wicket-taker in T20 with eight at 25.50 along with Matthew Fisher.

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Top performer - Yorkshire's Jordan Thompson celebrates taking the wicket of Nottinghamshire's Matthew Carter during day four of The Bob Willis Trophy match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. (Picture: PA)Top performer - Yorkshire's Jordan Thompson celebrates taking the wicket of Nottinghamshire's Matthew Carter during day four of The Bob Willis Trophy match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. (Picture: PA)
Top performer - Yorkshire's Jordan Thompson celebrates taking the wicket of Nottinghamshire's Matthew Carter during day four of The Bob Willis Trophy match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. (Picture: PA)

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Related topics:Azeem RafiqYorkshire CCCYorkshireRacismLeeds

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