Monday 23 April 2018

Yorkshire Specsavers CC1 at Headingley Loss


Day 4
NOTTS CATCH A COAD

Play lasted 47 minutes and 76 balls at Headingley today with Yorkshire winning the match by 164 runs in front of around 300 spectators in cloudy and fresh conditions. Notts took a paltry three points from the game. Ben Coad finished with 6 for 81; initially bowling from the Football End today before switching ends. His match figures were ten for 130. Notts were left to rue their top order failing in both innings and the captain being unfit to bowl. Of the batsman only Taylor and Wessels look in form. The seam bowling meanwhile appears to be of first division quality. Notts would have settled for a win and a defeat in the first two fixtures so should not be disheartened. The important match ups this season appear to be against Worcester and Somerset. Luckily Stuart Broad is available for the New Road fixture where Billy Root will also be pushing for a first team recall.

Yorkshire opened with Brooks and Coad this morning and after playing and missing a few times Jake Ball looked relatively settled with partner Moores. Bresnan came on for Coad. Then next over Coad switched to the Kirkstall Lane End and with his second ball of his new spell he bowled Jake Ball for 30 (50 balls, 4 x 4), the right hander losing his off stump. The ninth wicket stand had added 66 runs in 16 overs. Gurney lasted two balls edging Coad to Lyth at second slip. Notts 238 all out, their highest score this season. Moores was undefeated on 40 (69 balls, 8 x 4) one short of his first class best recorded in the equivalent fixture in August 2016. Moores has done all that could be expected of all so far this season and he was Notts top scorer of the innings. Mullaney, Libby, Nash and Patel need to find form at Worcester on Friday. MAG

Day 3

NOTTS GET A REALITY CHECK AS YORKSHIRE HOME-IN ON VICTORY

Notts had a huge reality check at Leeds today chasing an unlikely 403 runs for victory they still require another 222 runs with only two wIckets left. Excellent Yorkshire bowling, led by the highly impressive Ben Coad, reduced them to 181 for eight as stumps were finally drawn at 1940 under what was then a clear blue sky. Earlier after a rain ruined morning Notts initially made inroads into the Tykes middle order, but Yorkshire made the game safe by adding 101 runs for the last two wIckets. 

Notts bowled well early doors ultimately lost their way somewhat after taking the new ball, bowling too short, too often. But overall Ball, Gurney and Fletcher all have had good games. Moores took two excellent catches behind the stumps to dismiss Shaw and Brooks. The batting however is already a concern with Libby top scoring with 38 today but no Notts batsman lasted more than 77 balls today.

Very slow drizzle delayed play for 20 minutes. The players then emerged with the floodlights on. Gurney and Wood opened up as the 100 partnership for the 5th wicket was reached in 228 balls via a four from Ballance off Wood. Immediately rain stopped play at 1126 after only 8 balls of play with Yorkshire on 198 for four.

With 18 overs lost play resumed in sunshine at 1335. After nine balls and no addition to the score Leaning was leg before to Gurney for 37 (121 balls with 4 fours). The fifth wicket had added 103 runs. In his next over Ballance played on and lost his middle stump to Gurney. The Yorkshire captain had made 82 off 166 balls with 10 fours, 199 for six. Gurney picked his third wicket in as many overs with Hodd was leg before for 3, 204 for seven. The new ball was taken at 80 overs with Fletcher coming on for Gurney from the Kirkstall Lane End. In the third over with the new ball a good catch by Moores stretching with his right hand above his head saw Shaw dismissed by Fletcher for 8, 228 for eight. Bresnan and Brooks added 29 before a shortish ball from Ball was edged by Brooks (13) was excellently caught again by a leaping Moores. Bresnan reached his 50 off 80 balls with a leg side six and four off successive Gurney deliveries. Last man Coad brought up the 50 partnership off 74 balls for the last wicket with a six over long off into the construction work at the Football End. Coad finally fell for a career best 33 caught low down at cover by Mullaney off Fletcher. Yorkshire 334 all out. Bresnan 68 off 107 balls with nine fours and one six. Gurney three for 86 and Ball three for 69.

Notts needed 403 for victory. Mullaney hit Brooks for three boundaries in the opening over. Libby then hit Coad for two fours in his opening over. With the first ball of next over Coad bowling from the Football End had Mullaney (13) leg before to a ball then kept low, 21 for one. With Notts 44 for one off 10, Josh Shaw replaced Brooks. Bresnan in his first over got one to lift and move to Nash (23) who edged to Hodd, 59 for two. Libby who played a composed innings was bowled by Coad for 38 (77 balls, 4 x 4) appearing to play down the wrong line, 81 for 3. Patel (7) lasted 13 balls before losing his off stump to the outstanding Coad, 101 for four. Ross Taylor (30) not as fluent as the first innings edged Brooks who had taken over from Coad into Hodd's gloves, 135 for five. Night watchman Fletcher lasted seven balls before being bowled by Brooks for 2. Next over Wessels (33) edged Shaw and Hodd took his third catch of the innings, 151 for seven. Wessels had faced 25 balls with seven fours. The extra half hour was called at 1907 and in the 6th over of extra time Wood (10) edged to Leaning at slip, the fourth wicket for Coad. With Adam Lyth given three overs, nine overs were bowled in extra time. Moores had 10 and Ball 8 as Notts closed on 181 for 8. Coad bowling with pace and great control had 4 for 55 and so far 8 for 104 in the match. A bad day for Notts. MAG
Day 2
YORKSHIRE TAKE FIRM CONTROL

Yorkshire are in complete control at the end of day 2 at Headingley in front of another good crowd on a day of continuous sunshine. Having bowled Notts out in the morning, they have steadily accumulated runs and at the close led by 257 runs with six second innings wickets still standing. Their star men were Jack Brooks and Ben Coad the ball and skipper Gary Ballance with the bat. Notts disappointingly went on the defensive in the last session when they failed to take a wicket.

Notts resuming on 53 for four, lost their last six wickets in the morning session as they added 135 runs to their overnight score.
The ball moved around throughout the sunny morning with the first four wickets to falling to slip catches. The fifty partnership between Taylor and Wessels was reached in 92 balls via a four through third man by Wessels off Josh Shaw. Next over Taylor reached his 50 via a four through mid on off Brooks, it took 62 balls and included nine fours. Bresnan then replaced Shaw from the Football End as Notts reached three figures (28th over). Next over Coad came on for Brooks and with his second ball removed Taylor via a catch at third slip by Leaning. Taylor had batted well for his 57 off 70 balls with 10 fours, 100 for five. In his next over Coad had Moores (1) caught low down by Leaning as third slip, 102 for 6.Notts avoided the follow on in the same over via two off side fours from Wood. Wood had a let off on 8 edging Coad for four the ball bouncing just in front of Hodd. Wood went for a breezy 17 via fine low slip catch by Lyth off Bresnan, 127 for seven. Bresnan's next over saw Wessels edging to present Leaning with another slip catch. Wessels gone for a 87 ball 40, 130 for eight Brooks returned from the Kirkstall Lane End and was promptly hit for four consecutive fours by Ball. Next over Ball put Bresnan to the sword as another two boundaries were struck. Ball added 49 for the ninth wicket but Fletcher charged down the pitch as Ball hit the ball to the covers. Sent back, the juggernault could not turn on the sixpence and Fletch was run out for eight, 179 for nine. Gurney did not last long skying Coad to mid off. Notts 188 all out. Ball 44 not out off 36 balls with nine fours. Yorkshire had a commanding lead of 68. Lunch was taken between the innings Coad finished with four wickets and Brooks three. The Tykes had caught well and had no weak link in the bowling. Only nine Extras were given away.

With 68 overs remaining in the day, Yorkshire lost a wicket in the third over as Lees shouldered arms to Ball and was leg before for a duck, 5 for one. Pujara was dropped on 0 by Wessels at first slip off the unlucky Ball, a difficult chance low to his right. Ball's six over spell went for 19 and Gurney replaced him from the Kirkstall Lane End. The second daft run out of the day saw Pujara perish for 18, charging down the pitch as Lyth played the ball to Libby who threw the ball to Gurney at the stumps at the bowling end, 28 for two. Fletcher bowled a miserly spell of eight overs for seven. Luke Wood picked up a wicket in his second over as Lyth (12) was strangled down the leg side caught via his gloves as Moores took the catch, 37 for three. Gurney bowled a seven over spell for 24. Patel came on and his first over went for 11. His next over went for nine including a six for Brook. The fifty partnership between Ballance and Brooks came up in 58 balls as Yorkshire gained the initiative. Mullaney had to bring back Ball (Football Stand) and Fletcher to try and make a breakthrough. In his second over of his spell a beauty from Ball removed Harry Brook's middle peg. The youngster gone for a 41 ball 36, 95 for four. The last over before tea was bowled by Chris Nash as Yorkshire went to the interval on 116 for 4 with Ballance on 40 and Leaning on 7.

Ball and Fletcher returned after tea. Ballance reached his 50 off 90 balls via four through point off Gurney. Notts were now on the defensive, bowling short and wide much to the home crowds chagrin. *Mullaney resisted the temptation to bowl himself as Ballance and Leaning batted out the entire session. Yorkshire closed on 189 for four with Ballance on 76 and Leaning on 37 it was very much the home sides day as the unbroken fifth wicket partnership as so far added 94. MAG


* Andy Pick, Notts bowling coach, said on Notts website that Mullaney had a side strain which prevents him bowling in this game.
Day 1 HODD CARRIES TYKES INTO THE POINTS, BEFORE BROOKS DEMOLISHES NOTTS' TOP ORDER

A three wicket new ball burst by Jack Brooks ensured Yorkshire finished on top at the end of day 1. Notts were well placed in mid afternoon but let Yorkshire off the hook when they added 101 runs for the last three wickets. Having bowled Yorkshire out for 256, Notts slumped 6 for three and closed on 53 for four. The day was well attended with a crowd of two thousand enjoying an entertaining day in bright sunshine.

An unchanged Notts team took to the field following an uncontested toss. Ball (Kirkstall Lane End) and Fletcher (Football Stand) were the opening bowlers. Following a few wayward overs, Jake Ball got Lees (6) to edge to Taylor at third slip who took the catch at the second attempt, 25 for one. In the 12th over, Pujara was plumb leg before to Fletcher for 10. A deserved wicket for The Bomber who had become vocally frustrated at not taking a wicket. The ball looked like it could have been bouncing over the stumps. A poor shot by skipper Ballance saw him caught at point by Patel for a nine ball duck as Ball picked up his second scalp, 37 for three. Jake Ball was replaced after an eight overs spell (2 for 26) by Gurney who bowled five wides with his first ball. Next over Wood came on and was hit for a leg side six by Lyth. Fletcher who Wood replaced had bowled eight overs, 1 for 17. But then the left hander Lyth was out leg before to Gurney for an excellent 45, an innings which contained six fours and one six, 87 for 4. The ball of the morning was then bowled by Wood, an inswinging yorker removing Harry Brooks middle peg for 22 (26 balls 4 fours), 93 for five. Yorkshire got to lunch at 107 for 5 off 28 overs with Leaning on 5 and Hodd on 10. An excellent morning for the Green and Gold.

Mullaney rotated Gurney, Fletcher and Ball after lunch. Fletcher bowling from the Kirkstall Lane End removed Leaning (12) vIa a catch at second slip by Mullaney, 137 for 6. Hodd and Bresnan added 18 before Bresnan became Fletcher third victim leg before for 10. Patel came on from the Football End to bowl the 58th over. Hodd reached his 50 off 102 balls with a single off Gurney. In the same over Josh Shaw edged to Moores to depart for 17, 191 for eight. A further seven runs were added before tea. Yorkshire had scored 91 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in the session.

In the third over after tea Andrew Hodd lost his off stump to Gurney. Hodd had made 62 off 116 balls with eight fours, 210 for nine.Brooks and Coad added an invaluable 44 for the last wicket. Brooks hit Patel for a six over midwicket. Next over, Fletcher got the last wicket having Coad caught at cover by Patel for 18. Brooks 30 not out. Yorkshire had added 101 runs for the last three wickets. Fletcher was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 47 off 18.1 overs. He was well supported by Gurney (3 for 46) and Ball (2 for 52). Wood who provided the champagne moment of the day was far too expensive his 13 overs went for 70. Mulllaney missing a trick not bowling himself. Mr Extras contributed 32.

Notts had 19 overs to face. Mullaney lasted two balls before losing his leg stump to Brooks. Nash lasted 12 balls for his duck before edging Brooks to Hodd who took a good one handed catch diving to his right, six for two. Next ball Libby was leg before to Coad for 6. Ben Coad then having bowled four overs made way to Bresnan. Taylor played a few pleasing shots but lost Patel leg before for a 20 ball 4, 39 for four. Notts added a further 14 runs closing on 53 for four with Ross Taylor particularly strong on leg side on 34 and Wessels on 8. Brooks finished the evening with 3 for 11 off seven overs. He bowled with pace and accuracy. MAG
Notts have added Matt Milnes to the initial squad from the Old Trafford game making it a 14 man squad:

Jake Libby, 
Chris Nash, 
Steven Mullaney (c),
Mark Footitt, 
Riki Wessels, 
Harry Gurney, 
Luke Wood, 
Matt Milnes, 
Luke Fletcher, 
Samit Patel, 
Tom Moores (wkt), 
Ross Taylor, 
Jake Ball, 
Billy Root.

The Tykes have confidently gone for a 12 man squad:

Gary Ballance ©
Tim Bresnan
Harry Brook
Jack Brooks
Ben Coad
Andrew Hodd (WK)
Jack Leaning, 
Alex Lees
Adam Lyth
Cheteshwar Pujara
Josh Shaw
Matthew Waite


16 comments:

  1. Good effort from Taylor when we slumped to 6 for 3 for the second disaster start in a row.Early season seamers on top as expected but already concerning to see the lack of depth and options in the Notts top 6 with only Rooty the other option and as very little coming through academy or second team in terms of batsmen will the D.O.C finally change his stance over possible Kolpak signings?

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    1. PM was looking into taking the Kolpak route, but only for the right player, notjust for the sake of it.

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  2. Yes agree but Surrey didn't have a problem recruiting Morne Morkel? Suspect the DOCs role as England selector is the main problem but with the new shake up wouldn't be surprised if a player came in to strengthen a squad clearly not strong enough in depth to compete on all 3 fronts now Coggers unfortunately injured

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  3. Yeah, shoulda bought some batsmen. Baffled by the fact bringing in a bang average pensioner was the best we could do

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  4. Really disappointing day for Notts that, can't help thinking we are a batsman short.

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  5. Urgently required, an experienced batsmen on loan. Ideally a proper opener or a number three.

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    1. It's difficult to argue against the case for our need for a top order batsman. Lancashire nabbed Jennings at the end of last season. Is Lisa holding the purse strings too tightly?

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  6. Don't be seduced, by the result at Old Trafford.
    Division one is a tough gig.
    Our batting line up, now minus Chris Read,is weaker, than when we were relegated 18 months ago.
    Our bowling ,lacking both pace and a quality spinner, will struggle to bowl teams out on flat pitches.
    Individually, Notts have some good players,but collectively and more importantly,as a squad,they are behind a number of teams in this division.

    As things stand,if Notts manage to avoid the drop this season, that will be an achievement.

    This is realism, not negativity.

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    1. As Mike says, the real competition for Notts is in the games against Worcestershire and Somerset.

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  7. Suspect Broady will replace Seabiscuit at new road? To be outplayed by a team shorn of FIVE internationals is disappointing but like Michael writes in his blog we would have settled for this start. Wonder if Mull was fit whether we would go into game a seamer light and strengthen the batting by playing Rooty as an extra batsman?

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    1. Broady in for Woody would be the obvious first change, agreed. Something needs to change with the batting; the season is too short (14 games) for same players to underperform every week but it's difficult to see any axe falling just yet, it's only April after all...

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  8. Today was Iast day of Championship cricket at Headingley until August 29 - 128 days hence. Come that date, there will only have been 8 days of Championship cricket scheduled at the ground in more than 11 months, with 4 of those days washed out. How can that be right?

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    1. As a Durham member living in Yorkshire I don’t often agree with you BUT what you are saying about the situation surrounding 4 day county cricket I find myself in full agreement. The problem is that the ECB do not seem to listen or take any notice of the members

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    2. Madness, just madness. Red ball cricket is being killed off, but agonisingly slowly, by a thousand cuts.

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    3. I told someone that today and they honestly couldn't believe it.After years of
      watching Yorks CCC both home and away,never thought http://Champ.Cricket would
      end up like this.Fixtures this year worst I've ever known!

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  9. Bowling looks up to scratch but batting looks vulnerable as it did early last season Losing both Taylor’s Lumb Read & Hales in recent seasons hasn’t helped but feel we should have been more pro active in getting replacements Root surely should be given a chance soon

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