YORKSHIRE director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon says the Tykes have done “everything we can” in preparation for the new county season.

Moxon watched a youthful White Rose side fall to a 16-run defeat against Lancashire at Old Trafford yesterday, just two days after a friendly success over the same opponents.

Pace bowler Deon Kruis, the elder statesman of the side at 34 years old, excelled by taking 4-19 from his ten overs to bowl Lancashire out for just 179 in 49 overs.

But, despite captain for the day Andrew Gale’s 67 off 115 balls, the Tykes only managed to post 163-9 with Azeem Rafiq retiring hurt because of a tweaked right knee.

Yorkshire begin the season properly with a three-day first-class fixture against Cambridge University at Fenner’s on Saturday, albeit, technically, just another friendly.

“It has been so far, so good,” said Moxon, who has seen his side perform well on a tour of Abu Dhabi and claim four friendly wins out of six. “I just hope that we can maintain it when the proper games start.

“I was really pleased with the way that Abu Dhabi went, I thought that we played some really good cricket. And the weather this week has been pretty good, so we have managed to get some more match practice.

“Winning is a good habit to get into. You hope that you start the season well, and we have done everything we can so far. It has been very pleasing.”

Kruis led the attack well yesterday, proving a good example for James Lee, who claimed 3-43 from ten, Rafiq and Academy bowler Michael Chadwick – they both took a wicket apiece.

Lancashire looked reasonably well set to post a score in excess of 200 when they were 129-2 in the 33rd over, but they later lost five wickets for ten runs in 31 balls to slump from 142-3 to 152-8.

Kyle Hogg, the all-rounder who is being used as an experimental opener in 50-over cricket, top scored with 58 from 93 balls.

Yorkshire’s opening pair Gale and Joe Sayers set off slowly in their reply, a mixture of good bowling from Newby (3-32), Hogg and Tom Smith and the slow pitch the reasons.

And the Red Rose county tightened the noose as the innings wore on and the light faded.

Yorkshire were always in with a realistic chance of victory until Gale holed out to cover off Steven Croft in the 41st over.

Kruis wielded the willow for 29, but it was too little, too late.