Yorkshire 2026 One Day Cup Preview
- Jul 18
- 3 min read
Written by Jonathan Doidge (White Rose Files)
2025 Review:
League Position: 1st in Group B - Lost in Semi-Finals
Top Runscorer: Imam ul-Haq - 688 runs
Top Bowler: Matt Milnes- 15 wickets
Top Points Scorer: Imam ul-Haq - 1313 points
Yorkshire will go into the 2026 competition with serious hopes of success after they fell at the penultimate hurdle a year ago. Last season they played exceptionally well, with a home defeat by Somerset at York being the only real blemish on their group campaign.
Overseas signing Imam-ul-Haq was outstanding with the bat, while Matthew Revis, James Wharton and Finlay Bean all played some notable knocks to set them up for a semi-final against Hampshire at Scarborough.
As can happen in this competition, teams can receive a boost or indeed the opposite in terms of playing personnel, Yorkshire losing Matthew Revis to the Hundred at a vital stage and Hampshire benefitting from the addition of Liam Dawson for the semi, a move that proved vital. Dawson hammered a ‘ton’ on the day and despite that, Yorkshire looked favourites for much of the chase but after a rain delay, the revised DLS score seemed to induce panic and they blew their chance.
They’ll have very clear memories of those feelings this time and want to take that opportunity, should it arise again.
Yorkshire 2026 One Day Cup Preview - Fantasy Cricket Banker, Wildcard & Young Gun
This season, there’s neither Imam-ul-Haq nor Matthew Revis (the Hundred) to boost their ability to score runs but they do have Doncaster-born left hander Sam Whiteman over from Australia to help their cause in that department, while Adam Lyth – who’s been in great form in the Blast – will also feature.
The young players who were first given their opportunities in this competition several years ago showed they’d nearly matured last year and there are no excuses this time. Expectations, for example, of Will Luxton will be heightened after his recent exploits in red ball cricket; Ben Cliff, who took his first five-for in last season’s competition, should feature with the ball; while Harry Duke will be hoping to break back in with the wicketkeeping gloves.
Dom Bess and Whiteman are the two names floated to captain the side and I’d expect Bess, who did a super job last season, to get the nod because of that. Experience should also help the Tykes in the bowling department, with Ben Coad and Jack White likely to play in most matches.
Banker: George Hill
A Cricket Draft legend already, George Hill just doesn't seem to fail in the ODC or CC. In last year's competition he took 11 wickets, 5 catches and scored 141 runs, resulting in 763 points overall. He will be hoping to score a few more runs in 2026 and with Matthew Revis being picked up in The Hundred it should men he climbs at least one position up the order.
Wildcard: James Wharton
His stock is rising quickly and he has got a fine record at List A level. He has a career SR of 81 and an average in excess of 40. Last year he hit 421runs with a SR of over 90 and an average of 52. This is quite a serious upward curve! There are bigger name bats to pick from but Wharton is certainly one to consider.
Young Gun: Brad Sylvester
This year’s younger player to look out for is seamer Brad Sylvester, with Isaac Bepey not far behind as both have featured in second XI matches this season and should well get some game time. Sylvester has been impressive and has recently been called up to the England U19 side. Although he has been batting at 10 on a number of occasions, he could offer some lower order runs as a bonus as well.
Potential Starting XI:
Adam Lyth
Will Luxton
James Wharton
Sam Whiteman
Finlay Bean
George Hill
Dom Bess
Dan Moriarty
Ben Coad
Jack White
Ben Cliff
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