Byas enjoys his return

There was no excuse for an error-strewn performance by Yorkshire who were skittled for 81 in 27.2 overs - their lowest total in the 31 years of the competition's existence.

Not only was their batting casual and careless but four catches also went begging and Steven Kirby bowled three no-balls which resulted in free hits.

It was a slap-happy effort by Yorkshire who lacked motivation through having already qualified for the quarter-final draw but the large Bank Holiday crowd deserved better reward for turning out on a bitterly cold and drab day.

Former Yorkshire captain David Byas was at the crease when Mark Chilton hit the winnings runs for Lancashire in only the 11th over and he could barely have envisaged such an easy contest on his return to his old stamping ground.

Although Byas is not a man to crow, he could barely conceal his delight after his new county Lancashire pulled off the easiest win imaginable on his first return to Headingley.

The real reason why Byas quit Yorkshire was because he was no longer wanted as captain but the side looked a shambles yesterday under the combined influence of the two Australians, skipper Darren Lehmann and coach Wayne Clark.

When Byas was asked if he had ever been involved in such a bad Yorkshire performance, he replied quickly: "That is not for me to say.'' But when asked if he had any sympathy for Yorkshire, he snapped back "No.''

In an huge understatement, Byas said it had been a straight forward win for Lancashire and he had enjoyed the match.

"I thought the reception I got from the crowd was pretty warm and it was a pleasure to be back,'' he said. "I am absolutely thrilled that we are going home early with both points in the bag but what is going on in the Yorkshire dressing room right now is up to them and nothing to do with me.''

Lehmann eventually emerged to admit: "We were outplayed in all departments and I am disappointed for the crowd more than anything else.''

Byas held on to a great catch and was later dropped himself but two other Yorkshiremen in Lancashire's side had a much bigger influence on the outcome of the game. Skipton-born Glen Chapple scooped the man-of-the-match gold award for his tight bowling and quickfire 42 from just 26 deliveries while another strong contender was Wakefield-born John Wood who claimed three for 33.

England all-rounder Andy Flintoff was also in the frame with his career-best B&H figures of four for 11 off 7.2 overs.

Put in to bat, Yorkshire undoubtedly got the worse of the conditions on a green and lively pitch but too many batsmen adopted a cavalier approach and got out to dreadful shots.

None more so than Lehmann who held himself back until Yorkshire were 50 for five and then got out having a dreadful heave at Flintoff, the ball going into his stumps off an inside edge.

Craig White and Michael Vaughan actually made a bright start with an opening stand of 28 in six overs but White set the tone for what was to come when he aimed wildly at Wood and was bowled.

Yorkshire committed suicide, losing their last nine wickets for a mere 53 runs and when the final wicket went down at 81 they were still seven runs adrift of their previous lowest score in the competition of 88 against Worcestershire at Leeds in 1995.

Chapple soon blazed the trail with seven boundaries but he was put down three times - by Anthony McGrath at second slip and off consecutive balls from Matthew Hoggard by Vaughan at deep mid-off and Michael Lumb at mid-wicket.

Lancashire raced to 67 in the eighth over when Tim Bresnan's first ball was hit to mid-wicket by Chapple whose luck had finally run out and in the following over Alec Swann was pouched at third slip by Lehmann off Hoggard.

Byas came in to loud cheers and only a few jeers. He was off the mark with a quick single before he edged Kirby to McGrath who dropped a low catch which he tried to poach off first slip. McGrath was in Byas's old position of second slip - and if Byas had not moved away from his native county he would have been there to catch it himself.