Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Fin Bean drives en-route to his maiden List A century today.
Fin Bean reflected on his stunning 102 not out off 57 balls in victory over Durham at Scarborough today and said: “It was one of those days where it all went my way.”
Bean, 23, posted Yorkshire’s fastest ever List A century off 53 balls, beating team-mate Adam Lyth’s previous record off 60 balls on this ground in 2016.
“He reckoned that I hadn’t beaten him at tea, so I’ll have to go back in and tell him,” chuckled the left-hander who underpinned Yorkshire’s 354-7 total.
Bean’s exploits came in his 18th List A game. He has yet to debut in T20, but after hitting eight fours and six sixes he showed that he has the power to shine in limited overs cricket as well as the determination to dominate in red.
“I’ve not played a huge amount of white-ball cricket, so I didn’t think I’d be the one to have that record (Yorkshire’s fastest List A century),” he said.“But, yeah, it was one of those days where it all went my way, and thankfully we put a nice total on the board.
“I’ve not done a whole lot of batting in the middle order.
“I think what’s been key this year is we’ve had wickets in hand, which has been nice for the lads coming in, having a platform to play aggressive cricket. Thankfully, today it was another one of those times.
“It’s just getting my white-ball cricket going.
“Obviously, it’s not gone to plan in the last couple of years, so a knock like that gives me a world of confidence going forward.”
More importantly, Bean contributed to Yorkshire’s fifth win in six Group B games. They are top of the table on 20 points and close to securing knockout qualification with two more games to go.
“Everyone’s played their part today, and it’s coming together quite nicely for us,” he said.
While Yorkshire’s exploits with the bat will take the headlines – Will Luxton hit a patient 46 and James Wharton a dynamic 84 – the bowlers were superb too in bowling Durham out for 142.
They all but ended the North East County’s own knockout hopes and consigned them to a record 212-run defeat. Never before have they suffered a heavier runs margin defeat in List A cricket.
Jack White led the way with three wickets, Ben Coad and Dom Bess two. Each of the six bowlers used all struck, including Adam Lyth, who was deployed because Coad suffered a hamstring injury after only bowling 17 balls.
Bean added: “Having Jack White and Ben Coad at the top with the ball and then Matt Milnes to follow with George Hill, they know how to bowl at Scarborough.
“The new ball’s massive in this format. Whitey and Coady bowled a lovely length and got their awards, which was pleasing.
“Then Bessy and the old boy Lythy to finish off, it was good.”