Big night for St George’s Road as Yorkshire CC visit

In a major boost for cricket in the town, Yorkshire’s Twenty20 side will take to the field at the St George’s Road ground for the second year running as part of their Natwest Blast preparation.

Facing the county champions may be a daunting prospect for Harrogate’s young squad but it’s a prospect the club is relishing.

Skipper George Ross said: “It’s going to be a great occasion. It was last year, and hopefully this year we have built on that and get a bigger crowd in.”

The White Rose had several internationals in the same fixture 12 months ago and they have announced a similarly strong outfit for their return.

World Cup winner and overseas star Glenn Maxwell is set to make his first appearance in a Yorkshire shirt, while England’s Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett and Tim Bresnan will also take to the field.

This year’s encounter will raise money for the British Heart Foundation as well as being part of White Rose stalwart Richard Pyrah’s benefit year.

No matter what the result turns out to be next Tuesday, Harrogate CC are simply thrilled the fixture is back.

Harrogate chairman Miles Rawling said: “We’re delighted to host Yorkshire and Richard Pyrah in his benefit. It’s wonderful that Yorkshire are going around the grounds. I have always regretted them stopping playing on the other grounds and this is a brilliant way of taking them back out to the wilds, as it were.”

Gates will open at St George’s Road at 4.30pm for a 5.30pm start.

Tickets cost £5. Under-15s go free with an adult.

Yorkshire: Gale (c); Hodd (w/k); Lees; Rashid; Maxwell; Leaning; Pyrah; Bresnan; Plunkett; Brooks; M. Fisher; Rhodes