Yorkshire Rothesay County Championship Div 1 at Headingley Win 19 pts

 

26/05

DOGGED TYKES MAKE PATIENT NOTTS WORK FOR THEIR VICTORY

Notts beat Yorkshire and the weather, winning by 163 runs with 32.3 overs to spare at 15:43 this afternoon.  This pitch which had so much venom early doors had slowed down considerably and Notts were indebted to the extra pace and bounce of Dillon Pennington (31 9 106 5) to steer them over the line. The former Worcestershire man bowling well throughout the innings.

Despite frequent early morning showers and a poor forecast, play today was uninterrupted. However much of the afternoon session was played in light rain and with the floodlights on, so there was always a big fear that the rain would get faster and players would come off.

The sun greeted the players first thing but it soon disappeared. With a stiff south westerly blowing only a few battle hardened spectators were in attendance.

Pennington bowled the four deliveries remaining from his over from last night. Then Hutton and Abbas shared he bowling but did not look particularly threatening. There was a stoppage in the 66th over when Revis was hit on the hand after a delivery from Hutton jumped up. Pennington replaced Abbas for the following over and he was by far the most threatening bowler on display today. Patterson-White (30 14 40 3) came on from the Football Stand End in the 70th over. He bowled tidily today although rarely troubling the batsman after his outstanding efforts yesterday. James bowled the 73rd over replacing Pennington but was only given a three over spell. Revis and Hill both looked comfortable and entrenched. Then out of nothing a wicket fell. McCann came on and with his first delivery bowled Hill (26) who was attempting an ugly legside heave to a long hop and lost his middle stump; 230 for 6 in the 79th over.  A very fortuitous wicket. The 6th wicket had added 54 in 22 overs. The new ball was taken by Abbas and Pennington with Yorkshire 230 for 6 off 80 overs. Yorkshire got to lunch on 239 for 6 off 88 overs with Revis on 44 and Bess on 4.

With the weather forecast suggesting persistent afternoon rain was on its way, Hutton (Kirkstall Lane End) and Pennington were given the ball after lunch. Pennington took a wicket with his first delivery having Revis (45) caught by Verreynne, 244 for 7 in the 90th over. Thompson joined Bess in the middle. Thompson curbed his natural attacking style and batted through the remaing 30 overs of Yorkshire's innings to remain unbeaten on 20 having faced 102 balls. Patterson-White replaced Hutton from the Kirkstall Lane End for the 97th over with persistant light rain now falling. Bess (21) was caught by Verreynne off a Pennington delivery that moved away a tad, 269 for 8 after 98 overs. Four overs later, Coad (5) was caught by Verreynne off Pennington, 277 for 9 in the 102nd over. White edged his first ball for four over the heads of the slip cordon, but hung around for another 19 overs and 66 minutes to frustrate Notts and their now small band of visiting supporters. Jack White was happy to take the overs from Patterson-White whilst Thompson took care of Pennington's end. McCann replaced Pennington for the 106th over but bowled a single over spell to give way to Abbas then from the Football Stand End. In a desperate attempt to take the final wicket Hameed kept shuffling his bowlers based on which batsman was taking strike. Hutton came on for Patterson-White for the 113th over. Patterson-White replaced Abbas for the 116th over with White surviving a confident leg before shout. McCann came on for the 117th over. Pennington came on for the 118th over. Patterson-White bowled over number 119. Abbas then returned for over number 121 and with his third ball the leaden footed White (11 off 57 balls, 2x4) hung his bat out and edged to Verreynne who took his sixth catch of the innings (and ninth of the match) diving low to his left. Cue mass celebrations. Yorkshire 299 all out off 120.3 overs. Notts had won for the 22nd time in first class cricket in Yorkshire but this was only their fifth at Headingley. The four previous triumphs being in 1923, 1989, 2004 and 2011. Lord Hawke will be turning in his grave!

Notts deservedly top the table at the half way stage. MAG

25/05

Day 3

WEATHER PERMITTING, NOTTS FAVOURITES FOR WIN IN LEEDS

Yorkshire require a further 287 runs to win with five second innings wickets standing as this game at Headingley enters the final day.

Despite showers forecast for most of the day a full day's play was possible despite two rain showers interrupting play.

Bess (Football Stand End) opened the bowling in very blustery conditions. Notts got off to a circumspect start. In the 70th over, Clarke hit Bess for a straight six, 11 off the over. Thompson appeared for the 71st over and in the 75th he removed Clarke (94 off 121, 10x4, 1x6) lbw, 268 for 4. A very profitable week for the T20 captain. The 4th wicket stand between Clarke and Haynes had added 95 in 32 overs.The new ball was taken with Notts 288 for 4 off 80 overs. Verreynne hit White for successive boundaries but then a very brief shower immediately stopped play at 1215 with Notts 297 for 4 off 81.2 overs with Haynes on 43 and Verreynne on 17. The Man from Collingham was very vocal in his criticism of the decision of the umpires to bring the players off.

Play resumed at 1224. Haynes (43) going for a big hit inside edged a Coad delivery with Duke taking the chance diving low to his left; 299 for 5 in the 83rd over. White got a delivery to take off Verreynne (24) edging the ball to Lyth at second slip, 315 for 6 in the 86th over.  Rain stopped play once more at 1249 with Notts 318 for 6 off 86 overs with James on 8 and Patterson-White on 1. An early lunch was taken.

Notts needed fast runs after lunch. Seven balls after the interval, Patterson-White mistimed an attempted pull shot off White and was caught at mid on by Malan, 321 for 7 in the 88th over. James (11) sliced Coad aerially to White at mid off  who took the swirling catch on the dive; 333 for 8 in the 91st over. Hutton and Pennington then added the cherry on top of the icing by adding a rapid unbroken 60 runs for ninth wicket in 7.4 overs.

Thompson pulled up lame after the third delivery of the 95th over - Hill completed the over. Hutton pulled White for six over long leg, 16 off the 96th over. Revis came on Pennington pulling him for six over square leg. Hutton hit Bess for six over mid wicket to bring up the 50 partnership, A square leg boundary followed next ball, 14 off the 98th over. Notts then declared on 393 for 8 declared with a lead of 462. Hutton on 44 and Pennington on 22.

Fifty seven overs remained in the day with Abbas (Kirkstall Lane End) and Pennington taking the new ball. A very strong westerly wind was blowing and the sun was intermittently shining. Luckily no showers appeared. Yorkshire made a confident start standing at 34 for 0 off 8 overs when Hutton replaced Abbas. Bean (17) fell lbw to Pennington, 40 for 1 in the 10th over. Yorkshire 45 for 1 off 13 overs at tea with Lyth on 25 and Wharton on 0.

Abbas and Hutton were bowling at the start of the last session but Lyth and Wharton despite plenty of playing and missing could not be parted. James appeared for the 23rd over and proved expensive. Pennington replaced Abbas for the 26th over and conceded 14 runs including three boundaries. Yorkshire reached 100 in the 27th over with James conceding 18 runs including five wides and four byes. Notts were struggling somewhat when Patterson-White came on for the 27th over and removed Lyth (44) caught behind via an inside edge with his third delivery, 114 for 2. Malan hit his first ball for four through backward point. Pennington conceded 13 runs in the 30th over including two boundaries for Malan and one for Wharton. 

The dangerous Malan (13) played a Patterson-White delivery on to his leg stump from Patterson-White, 132 for three in the 31st over. Hutton returned for the 34th over. Patterson-White was bowling superbly and putting a brake to the run scoring. Wharton got to his 50 off 75 balls with a swept boundary off Patterson-White in the 36th over. Abbas replaced Patterson-White from the Kirkstall Lane End for the 43rd over. Patterson-White immediately changed ends. In the 46th over, Wharton (58 off 99 balls, 8x4) was lbw to Patterson-White, 160 for 4. Pennington replaced Abbas for the 51st over and this fascinating days cricket had one final twist. With three balls remaining Abbas at mid on called Pennington over and issued instructions. Pennington banged one in short, the ball shot up and all the  leaping and flinching Duke (15) could do was to edge the ball into Verreynne's waiting gloves. Yorkshire 176 for 5 off 56.4 overs with Revis on 11.

Notts will be hoping that Edgbaston Day 4 will not be replicated. Showers are forecast from mid Monday morning onwards with persistent light rain after lunch. It will be race against time on a wicket which lacks some of the venom on Day 1 but still holds many terrors if ball lands on the right spots. MAG

24/05

Day 2

MAJESTIC MO MOUNTS MATCH TURN AROUND  

Notts now sit in a strong position with two days gone

Notts had an excellent day at dank and dreary Leeds today closing with a lead of 296 with seven second Innings wickets remaining. 

The day started in dark cloudy and slightly humid conditions with Abbas and Pennington sharing the new ball. in the 16th over, Wharton (7) was caught low down at first slip by Patterson-White off Pennington, 15 for 3. Malan went on the attack from the off hitting three boundaries off the first two overs from Pennington. In the 20th over, he hit Pennington for six over square leg. Hutton replaced Abbas in the following over, he looked far better bowling from Kirkstall Lane End and proved a handful with bounce and accuracy to all the Yorkshire batters. White spliced him over backward point to bring up the Yorkshire 50. Pennington picked up his second wicket of the morning when he had nightwatchman White (18) well caught by McCann at second slip diving to the right in front of first slip; 52 for 4 in the 22nd over. James came on for the 26th over, Malan cover driving his second and third deliveries to the boundary and the fourth delivery was hit for six over mid wicket. Hutton got a delivery to jump up and found Duke's (7) edge, Verreynne taking the catch, 81 for 5 in the 27th over. Hutton had taken his 250th wicket for Notts. Malan got to his 50 off 34 balls cover driving James for four and then the following delivery was hit for six over mid wicket. The next delivery was another cover driven four. Malan batting on another planet to the rest of his Tyke counterparts, deciding attack was the best form of defence on the helpful deck.  James had conceded 29 runs off his two overs. Abbas replaced him for the following over. Malan (64 off 45 balls, 8x4, 4x6) hit Hutton for six over square leg in the 31st over, but the Hitman got his revenge later in the same over having him lbw with the left hander attempting the same shot; 104 for 6 in the 31st over. The danger man had been removed. Hill (1) was bowled by an unplayable delivery from Abbas the ball keeping low and removing his middle stump; 107 for 7 in the 34th over. Yorkshire 119 for 7 off 38 overs at lunch with Revis on 7 and Bess on 7. Notts' morning.

James and Pennington were bowling straight after lunch. James bowled a maiden over from the Kirkstall Lane End in order for Abbas to change ends. Abbas took a wicket with his second delivery having Bess (11) caught low down at fourth slip by James, 124 for 8 in the 41st over. Thompson fell for a golden duck caught by McCann to his right at second slip, a fifth wicket for Abbas, 124 for 9 in the 41st over. Some daft fields were then set which gave Yorkshire some invaluable runs, 35 runs being added for the last wicket as the field was spread far and wide. Coad hit Abbas for successive offside boundaries and then next delivery a lofted straight four in the 43rd over. Pennington (2-55) conceded 16 in the 44th over, four boundaries in five deliveries for Revis. Revis (27) played on to an Abbas (6 for 45) delivery onto his off stump. Yorkshire 159 all out in 44.3 overs. Coad 15 not out. Hutton 2 for 25. Abbas was sheer class, the best bowler on show in the match. Notts led by 61 runs after the first innings. Notts had bowled and caught well.

Coad (Kirkstall Lane End) and White shared the new ball and it was becoming apparent the wicket was becoming slightly easier to bat on as it lost its green tinge. With Notts 30 for 0 after 8 overs, Hill came on for Coad. Jordan Thompson came on for the 12th over and two boundaries for Hameed took Notts passed 50. Hill conceded nine off the next over. In the 16th over, Thompson got a delivery to lift and had Hameed (33) edging him behind to Duke, 73 for 1. Bess came on for the 21st over. A two for Slater off Coad brought up the Notts 100 in the 24th over. McCann (15) was adjudged caught behind by Duke off Coad to a delivery that lifted, 103 for 2 in the 26th over. McCann left the crease looking somewhat bewildered by the decision. A four through third man by Slater took him to 50 off 68 balls in the 27th over. Notts got to tea on 113 for 2 off 29 overs with Slater on 55 and Clarke on 2. Advantage Notts.

Lyth had an over after tea in order for Bess to change ends. Notts were accelerating, Hill conceding nine off the 31st over. Revis came on for the 39th over. In the 43rd over, Slater (78 off 125 balls, 9x4) was caught behind by Duke diving to his right off a Revis delivery that kept slightly low, 173 for 3. The second excellent innings from Slater in the match. Thompson came back for the 46th over. A boundary to third man by Clarke took him to 50 off 55 balls in the 47th over. Next ball a straight driven boundary by Clarke meant Notts were passed 200. Clarke playing well and fluently. Notts though slowed down as the close approached scoring 11 runs between overs 47 and 57. Haynes was struggling to get going. He was dropped on 7 by White at mid on off Thompson in the 52nd over and put down again on 9 by Lyth at slip off Bess in the 58th over. The off spinner getting some turn out of the deck. Notts closed at 1842 on 227 for 3 with Clarke on 73 (off 92 balls, 10x4) and Haynes on an extremely patient 13 (off 56 balls, 2x4). The odd ball is still misbehaving but pitch is now playing much better. Notts will be looking to get a lead of 400 plus tomorrow with showers predicted. MAG

23/05

Day 1

AFTER A DIFFICULT DAY 1 NOTTS HAVE A HILL TO CLIMB!

Twelve wickets fell for 238 runs on a substandard underprepared green pitch at Headingley today as the seamers dominated throughout on a very sunny and pleasant day.

Yorkshire won the important toss and elected to bowl. Pennington replaced Lord in the Notts line up. Yorkshire were without their overseas injured pair of Sears and Buckingham. A good sized crowd were in attendance with Fergus O Neill looking onto the proceedings from within the Notts dressing room*. Sign him up for next season pronto!

Coad (Kirkstall Lane End) and White shared the new ball and there was lavish pace movement and bounce from the off. Slater and Hameed were struggling. In the 6th over, a loose drive from Hameed (6) was caught by Wharton at point off White, 9 for 1. There was endless playing and missing - Notts 13 for 1 after 12 overs. White was replaced by Hill from the Football Stand End in the 14th over and three overs later Thompson replaced Coad. A two for McCann off Hill in the 22nd over saw Notts pass 50. White returned for the 24th over to enable Hill to change ends. Batting was extremely hard work and every run had to be chiseled out. In the 26th over, McCann (28) edged White to Hill at first slip who took the catch diving low to his right; 65 for 2. Notts got to lunch on  67 for 2 off 30 overs with Slater on 31 and Clarke on 0. Probably Notts' morning given how much assistance the wicket was giving to the Yorkshire seamers.

Coad and Thompson were bowling together after lunch. Slater (52) reached his 50 off 109 balls with a four through backward square leg off Thompson but he was bowled later in the same over by a delivery that kept low.102 for 3 after 38 overs. An excellent gritty knock by Slater in extremely trying conditions. Hill came on at the Kirkstall Lane End for the following over. White returned for the 44th over. Haynes (9) was dropped on 9 by Bean diving to his right at third slip, but fell in the same over bowled shouldering arms to a delivery from Hill that seamed back in; 119 for 4 in the 45th over. Verreynne (1) was bowled by Hill to another delivery that kept low, 121 for 5 in the 49th over. Thompson and Revis came on for the 54th and 55th overs respectively. Bess came on for the 62nd over bowled the only two overs of spin of the day. Notts 178 for 5 off 64 overs at tea Clarke 47 and James on 24.

After tea, Clarke got to an excellent 50 off 123 balls with a quick offside single off Coad in the 70th over. Clarke with his confidence back after his knock on Monday had to ride his luck playing and missing on a number of occasions particularly against Coad. The 6th wicket had added an invaluable 71 in 25 overs when James (29) attempting a pull shot top edged Thompson with keeper Duke catching the ball running towards square leg, 192 for 6 in the 72nd over. A poor end to a nuggety innings. Hill returned for the following over and with his sixth delivery had Patterson-White (4) caught by keeper Duke, 197 for 7. Hutton was out for a 9 ball duck caught at second slip by Lyth of Hill, 197 for 8 in the 77th over. The Notts 200 was brought by hoicked four through mid wicket by Clarke off Thompson in the 78th over. Yorkshire put a man on the third man ropes after failed to connect with an attempted scoop shot. Clarke (64 off 151, 11x4) after playing a glorious straight drive could not resist another scoop shot off Hill and was caught by Thompson on the run  on the third man boundary; 208 for 9 in the 79th over. Clarke had like Slater before him played a patient and measured innings on the difficult pitch. Pennington and Abbas went tor the long handle approach and somehow cobbled together another 20 runs. The new ball was taken with Notts 219 for 9 off 80 overs. The first delivery with it was hit for six over square leg into the empty Western Terace by Pennington off Coad. Pennington going for another legside hoick was bowled by White for 15. Notts 228 alĺ out off 81.2 overs with Abbas  6 not out. Notts had uncharacteristically scored at just 2.80 RPO during their innings. George Hill (20 8 40 5) in extremely helpful conditions was the pick of the Yorkshire bowlers.

Yorkshire had 12 overs to bat or survive. Abbas (Kirkstall Lane End) and Hutton shared the new ball. In the third over Lyth (2) edged Abbas straight into Verreynne's gloves, 2 for 1. Hutton looking relatively innocuous in his three over spell was replaced by Pennington whose extra pace and bounce proved al ot more trying on the tricky deck. Bean (2) was extremely fortunate to survive a lbw shout from Pennington but soon became Abbas' second victim getting a thin edge to Verreynne, 9 for 2 in the 11th over. Yorkshire got to close on 10 for two off 12 overs with Wharton on 6 and nightwatchman White yet to score. Run scoring remained difficult throughout the day.

Tomorrow will be much cloudier but fresher - a 15 mph westerly wind is forecast. Will the wicket get easier and will the Notts attack which is slower than their Tyke counterparts get as much out of the pitch? Heavy rain is forecast in Leeds overnight. MAG

* Dave Bracegirdle on commentary revealed that Fergus O'Neill had prearranged a meet-up with his Aussie cobbers, Jordan Buckingham and Will Sutherland,  prior to him going off touring Europe.

22/05

Yorkshire Squad:

Finlay Bean, Dominic Bess, Ben Coad, Harry Duke, George Hill, Will Luxton, Adam Lyth, Dawid Malan, Dan Moriarty, Matthew Revis, Jordan Thompson, James Wharton, Jack White

Notts squad, as for Durham plus Dillon Pennington

Haseeb Hameed
Ben Slater

Freddie McCann

Joe Clarke

Jack Haynes

Kyle Verreynne

Lyndon James

Liam Patterson-White

Rob Lord

Brett Hutton

Mohammad Abbas

Farhan Ahmed

Matt Montgomery

Dillon Pennington

21/05

Notts should bounce back after their narrow loss at Chester le Street, but bowler availability, pitch and team balance will be important.

No Jonny Bairstow for the Tykes in this game apparently.

Whilst the resurgence in Notts' performances have been most definitely a team effort, Notts do rely on skipper Hameed for that solid platform and run contribution.

Run totals this season so far, with only two players possibly on track to reach 1000 runs, as we near half way through the Championship season:

Haseeb Hameed 695

Ben Slater 411

Jack Haynes 384

Freddie McCann 322

Kyle Verreynne 290

Lyndon James 271

Joe Clarke 267

Liam Patterson-White 213

Taking 20 wickets wins matches, so who will have in this round available?

Wickets taken so far:

Brett Hutton 22

Fergus O'Neill 21*

Josh Tongue 15*

Farhan Ahmed 10

Lyndon James 10

Mohammad Abbas 9

Liam Patterson-White 7

Dillon Pennington 4

*most certainly not available

Pre-season preview of Yorkshire:

YORKSHIRE

Previewed by Graham Hardcastle - ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Captain: Jonny Bairstow

Head Coach: Anthony McGrath

2024 finish: Second (Division Two)

2024 highest run-scorer: Adam Lyth (1,215)

2024 highest wicket-taker: Ben Coad (56)

Key winter moves: Head coach Anthony McGrath has returned home following nine successful seasons as Essex’s assistant coach, head coach and director of cricket, while ex-international all-rounder Gavin Hamilton has filled the newly-created general manager of cricket post. Seamer Jack White has signed from Northamptonshire, helping replace Surrey-bound Matthew Fisher. New Zealand quick Ben Sears and Australians Jordan Buckingham (seamer) and Will Sutherland (all-rounder) will fulfil overseas duties during the first half of 2025.

What we’re looking forward to seeing: Promoted Yorkshire’s star-studded batting line-up during the early stages of the season. If things work out as they hope, you could see a top order including Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Joe Root and Dawid Malan at some point during the first block of matches in April and May. That really is a mouthwatering prospect for Yorkshire’s supporters, but perhaps not so much for Division One bowlers.

Final thought: A new era at Headingley sees the county under new leadership both on and off the field. Jonny Bairstow’s appointment as their new red-ball captain indicates his availability across the entire campaign - a huge boost for a county who finished second behind Division Two champions Sussex last season courtesy of five wins in their last seven games. Yorkshire are hopeful they can follow up promotion by winning county cricket’s main prize.