Yorkshire eyeing Gough finale

Yorkshire captain Darren Gough has silverware in his sights in his final season

Jacques Rudolph has revealed the determination among Yorkshire’s players to give captain Darren Gough a trophy-winning send-off to his distinguished career.

Former England fast bowler Gough, 38, is to hang up his spikes at the end of the season after a career spanning the best part of two decades.

After a day when Yorkshire reached the last four at the expense of hosts Gloucestershire, Gough is only one match from a Lord’s final in the Friends Provident Trophy, and the chance to skipper his beloved county to silverware.

Rudolph, whose unbeaten half-century helped his side reach a 202 target with 5.5 overs to spare, said: “The boys want to win a trophy for Darren.

“It would be ideal. Darren has been at the club for some time now, in his two spells - and from a captain’s point of view, I am sure he would like to get some silverware before he retires.”

Another veteran performer - opener Craig White, also aged 38 - scored an important 55 at Bristol yesterday - and Rudolph admits he has learnt experience is a crucial part of any team’s success.

The South Africa batsman said: “Craig is old furniture at the club but he is worth so much to the club and has been unbelievable in the one-day competitions for us.

“You can’t buy experience. I think in terms of my own career, I’m moving into a phase of it where I’m getting more and more experienced.

“I really appreciate the value of that now. When I was younger, I always thought I should play and knew about the game.

“But looking back now, I probably didn’t know that much - and it is obvious you never stop learning.”

Elsewhere an unbeaten 201 from Ravi Bopara saw Essex Eagles beat Leicestershire Foxes, and holders Durham Dynamos scraped past Nottinghamshire Outlaws by one wicket at Chester-le-Street.

Kent Spitfires' quarter-final with Somerset Sabres was cancelled because of a wet outfield at Canterbury, and the match will be played on Thursday at Kent's outground, Beckenham.