The Yorkshire Perspective
If Yorkshire, or rather the President, thought it would be a stroll in the park to get back into Division One, then the game against Kent must have brought them back down to Earth with a bump. The second match of the season was against the Leeds-Bradford MCCU, and gave Yorkshire a chance to test out some of their young bowlers.
Given all the debate surrounding universities and their first class status - I'm all for it. There's nothing more character building than having your soul crushed by people double your age and who are increasingly growing into the embittered Yorkie stereotype - Leeds-Bradford put up a sterling fight. Yorkshire once again failed to break the last wicket partnerships, and when the wickets fell, they fell in clusters, leaving the scorecard teetering. There was impressive bowling from Patterson and Hannon-Dalby, and despite coming in for his fortnightly criticism, McGrath's bowling seemed much improved on last season.
Yorkshire escaped the game with a draw, thanks to some fine British weather. Root and Sayers seem relatively settled at the top of the order, although Root fell for 8 and 0 in the match. Root's Vaughan-like elegance is combined with a Cook-like patience that should bode well for the rest of the season. Bairstow and Gale have shown their class with knocks in 2011, and Sayers has been around long enough now to bat out those early overs and get dug in.
And so, to Headingley, for Yorkshire v. Essex. Having spent much of last season complaining about our sides respective batting frailties, we knew that this would be a clash of the collapsers. And neither side disappointed. Root departed for 2 off the 3rd delivery, which brought Honorary (and now ECB approved) Yorkshireman Jaques to the crease. Last time Jaques was here, he helped Yorkshire back into Division One, and on arriving back in Leeds he made in clear that he wanted to do it again.
Put simply, he was a joy to watch. He had his luck; a few plays and misses as he hit the 80's and an early "quick single" that left Sayers sprawled on the ground as the return inched past the stumps. But he played himself in, something Yorkshire haven't done an awful lot recently. He saw off Master's nagging consistency and Mills' early, if slightly misguided, fireworks and picked off the weaker part of Essex's bowling attack. The highlight was an early on drive off Chambers and three successive boundaries from Masters as he was brought back in to stilt the attack. He formed good partnerships with Gale and Sayers, who managed to replicate the first half of Jaques' masterclass by digging themselves in, but then both fell to cheap shots that left them stranded in the thirties.
Jaques was aggressive, but he was intelligent with it. His drives were intended to divide the fielders; his pull stroke took advantage of Foster's overly defensive fields. The same can't be said for the rest of the batsmen. Jaques scored 126 of Yorkshire's 246 - just over half their runs. Yorkshire's middle order is still brittle, and are in danger of consistently throwing away their strong positions. Maybe it is the presence of three right-handers in the middle order; if the ball is swinging into them, it makes a collapse easy. Bairstow and Ballance both departed in the midst of some frighteningly quick bowling from Mills, who once he adjusts his radar, will be as complete a county bowler as one could hope for. McGrath went to an awful bit of cricket, which was overshone moments later by Rashid and Shahzad's abysmal attempts at hooking and pulling respectively.
The bowling, however, was a different story. Sidebottom and Shahzad steamed in full of aggression and intent; Shahzad, in particular, looked miles away from the bowler he was last year. He consistently asked questions of Petersen, who looked like a fish out of water as he failed to pick up every other delivery. The two built pressure well, and whilst Shahzad was unlucky not to claim a wicket, Sidebottom struck twice with an LBW and an edge to Bairstow to leave Essex teetering on 24/2.
Patterson, as second change, had the spell of the day. It was consistent, it was fast, and it shook Essex up, who couldn't get their bat down in time or get any real power behind their shots. For someone who has been so in and out of the side, it is to his credit the way he attacked the batsmen. It was perfect bowling for a Headingley pitch. Bopara and Foster tried to dig in but they constantly played and missed. Foster, however, struck Patterson for two gorgeous cover drives as Bopara did what Bopara does - prodded around and hoped for the best.
Ravi went on to score 100, something I'm sure Hannah will be gloating about, as Yorkshire's struggles against the tail continued. It's difficult to pinpoint what the problem is. Shahzad, looking so threatening on Friday evening, tailed away and lost his line completely, whilst McGrath and Patterson just looked ordinary. Sidebottom took a five wicket haul, a worthy reward for career best figures of 5/30 from 24 overs, but he was the only bowler who stayed on the mark throughout the game.
After polishing Essex off for 199, a good 50 or so more than they should have achieved, Root arrived at the crease and displayed the cover drives, reverse sweeps and elegant wrist work that has many pencilling him in as the next England opener. He was unlucky to fall for 62, even more unlucky to fall to Smith, but the foundations were laid. Sayers, although his stubbornness is useful when Yorkshire are batting to win, was not necessarily what the Tykes needed to accelerate. After he fell first ball of the third day, Gale and Bairstow were at the crease. The two played their shots well; Gale smashed two huge sixes and Bairstow's pulls and late cuts were as strong as ever. The running between the two was also hugely impressive, converting singles into two's and capitalising on some poor Essex fielding.
Rain ultimately ruined the match, which is a shame considering Gale's gutsy declaration. He clearly fancied the bowlers on the Headingley pitch, and was rewarded as Shahzad found his aggression again and sent two thunderingly fast deliveries plumb into the pads of the Essex openers. The problems are still there for Yorkshire, but the intent, aggression and determination we were promised at the start of the season is beginning to ring true...
Tyke of the match: Sidebottom. As beautifully impressive as Jaques innings was, it could all have been in vain if it wasn't for the bowling of the big man.
After the victory over Gloucestershire in the first week of the season, Essex had a week off in which they handed out jam near London Liverpool Street in the name of Graham Napier's benefit, had James Foster on the phones in the Essex membership office and ended up playing a one-day warm up match against the Unicorns.
In very chilly conditions, Essex beat the Unicorns side by 124 runs (D/L). They, like against Gloucestershire, had piled on the runs, reaching 300-7 off their allocated overs. Tom Westley was top scorer as he hit 105 off 93 runs, and captain James Foster hit 42 off 21 deliveries. In reply, the Unicorns could not reach their revised target and Tymal Mills was the only Essex bowler not to pick up a wicket. Napier picked up 3 for 13, Masters 2 for 19 and spinner Tim Phillips chipped in with 2-21.
England's under-19s managed to win their play-off for third place against New Zealand, and were helped in the run chase by an Essex youngster, Ben Foakes. Foakes, who finished third leading run scorer of the quadrangular series, scored 105* and, in an unbroken partnership of 109 with captain Adam Ball, managed to see England home by 6 wickets. Bowler Reece Topley was also in Australia. In the 4 matches he played, he claimed 4 wickets at 30.50. He did finish with a better economy than Aussie quick Patrick Cummins though...
Speaking of Essex youngsters, we move on to Headingley, where Essex began their first away game of the season. With a first day washout, Essex returned to Headingley to find a blow to their bowling attack, as Graham Napier had been ruled out with a calf strain. Essex brought in the left arm spinner of Tim Phillips, but Napier's injury meant that David Masters would, once again, have to lead a fairly inexperienced attack containing the 19 year old Tymal Mills and Maurice Chambers, who fluctuates between the First and Second XI.
Having been made to field by Yorkshire, Masters provided the early breakthrough as he got Root caught at short leg by Billy Godleman. Phil Jaques, who I remember doing this and this against England in 2006, joined Joe Sayers at the crease and set about laying the foundations for a huge first innings total. Just before lunch, Tymal Mills was brought on for a quick burst and he managed to get the breakthrough, strangling Sayers down the leg side.
The Essex bowling, with the exception of Masters, was expensive. Mills, Maurice Chambers and Greg Smith kept feeding Phil Jaques and Andrew Gale with short and wide half volleys for them to send to the boundary with ease. Chambers provided Jaques with a wide delivery outside off and that was off to the boundary for a four, meaning that Jaques had a century on his return to the county.
Essex were facing conceding an enormous first innings total and in desperation, and with Tim Phillips mysteriously off the field, Foster brought on the part-time off-spin of Tom Westley. With the partnership between Andrew Gale and Jaques growing, it was a surprise that Westley was the one to provide the breakthrough. Gale managed to turn one off his pads straight into the waiting hands of Billy Godleman at short leg.
Mills, now bowling from what he deemed his preferred end given that the Rugby Stand End was "all mud", was brought back on to replace Chambers and so began a very quick spell. If you're a bit of a cricket romantic, you should really read into Mills' rise from club cricketer in Suffolk to bowling against Sangakkara to bowling for the England Lions in the space of just 6 months because it is absolutely remarkable. Here, he managed to get Bairstow to fend a short, well directed and fast delivery straight to Alviro Petersen, who actually had his hands out of his pockets long enough to take the catch. Ballance then fell into the trap of trying to hook Mills, but only ended up seeing it fly straight into the hands of Charl Willoughby, who was on the field to replace Tim Phillips. Anthony McGrath then decided to leave one and he was gone LBW. Mills had 4 wickets and left those at the ground wondering what the future might hold for the 19 year old.
Yorkshire's tail crumbled and, having looked like they were on their way to an enormous total, like Kent had got during the first game of the season, they found themselves all out for 246, four short of another bonus batting point. However, for anyone who watches Essex regularly, you will know that Essex's top order is just as brittle and here, it did not disappoint.
Yorkshire's accurate bowling once again exposed Essex's batting frailties. Billy Godleman was first to go, out LBW to Ryan Sidebottom. Godleman was unhappy with the decision, perhaps feeling as though he'd been struck outside the line. However, he had to go and Essex had once again lost an early wicket. At the start of Sidebottom's next over, Tom Westley was gone LBW, out for a golden duck. It brought to the crease Ravi Bopara, who finally had an Essex helmet rather than the tragic sight of his England one with a piece of sticky tape covering up the England badge.
Bopara survived two hat-trick deliveries in his innings, one off Sidebottom and the other off Steve Patterson, who managed to get a three wicket maiden. Petersen had another failure, Wheater went for a duck and Smith was gone for a golden on his 29th birthday. It was up to James Foster and Bopara to try and steady the ship, but with a long tail, it looked like Essex would be lucky to reach 150.
Luckily for Essex, Yorkshire have problems finishing off the tail and they allowed Bopara to reach first his half century and then his century on the morning of day 3. Foster, the second highest scorer with 25, had gone early. Masters had been bowled by Shahzad and Tim Phillips came in with a runner. Usually, he can bat a bit and would come in before Masters, but he was clearly struggling with a back injury and was unable to move his feet at all. Sidebottom picked up his 5fer as he managed to get Chambers out LBW.
Bopara was looking likely to be stranded as, from what we've seen so far of Mills, it's clear he's not the best with the bat. However, Bopara farmed the strike well and, thanks to some generous bowling from Shahzad, brought up a very well worked ton. He had, somehow, survived the previous evening, but now he was in and playing a mature innings, like at Southend against Leicestershire last year, to help his team out of a very deep hole. Had he not run Mills out, who had got 2 off 41, Essex would have reached a batting bonus point, something that seemed a pipe dream with the side having been 42-5.
In Yorkshire's second innings, Greg Smith bowled slightly better and did pick up two wickets. Root was caught down the leg side and Bairstow went in search of quick runs but instead found Wheater in the deep. Chambers was still as expensive and inaccurate, so question marks will surely hang over his place in the squad for the upcoming match against Northants. Masters was as carthorse-esque as ever, racking up the overs and bowling economically. Mills, whilst he did not take a wicket, bowled far, far more accurately, with just as much pace and was far more economical.
Had the rain not come along, although credit to Essex's rain dance for ensuring that it did, Essex were facing an incredibly tricky run chase after a very positive declaration from the Yorkshire skipper. Petersen struggled with Shahzad in both innings and Essex will be hoping that he can find some form soon. Essex will hope that this batting performance at Headingley is just a one off, but the batting frailties of last season do still appear to be there. With Bopara expected to be on England duty, Petersen, despite looking out of touch, only here until June and Alastair Cook now seemingly doing everything for England, the top order will remain a concern over this season.
Eagle of the match: It was a close run thing with Tymal Mills, but I'm going for Ravi Bopara. To anchor one end, finish not out and score over half the runs as the team around you crumbles will provide Bopara with great confidence and he is, after all, one of those "confidence players".
Around the Country
Rained ruined the majority of the matches around the country, but it didn't stop Hampshire winning by 2 wickets against a Glamorgan side who have now lost all three of their County Championship matches. There was a positive for Glamorgan though, as their second innings was the first time they've made a score of 200+ this season. The other matches in Division Two saw Kent and Gloucestershire draw at Canterbury. Kent had been chasing 363 for victory, but Gloucestershire had them 98-2. At the County Ground in Derby, Leicestershire had piled on the runs in the first innings and had set Derbyshire 314 for victory. Derbyshire were 91-0 when play was abandoned.
In Division One, Somerset will be thoroughly disappointed as the weather meant they couldn't romp home to victory at Trent Bridge. Peter Trego took only his second first-class five wicket haul and may well have ended up with 10 wickets in the match had rain not cut short play. Somerset also leave Trent Bridge with injury concerns over captain Marcus Trescothick (ankle) and Steve Kirby. Over at Lord's, Middlesex were made to cry by Graham Onions, who picked up the first 10 wicket haul of his career. Awful puns aside, Onions claimed the wicket of England captain Andrew Strauss twice, bowling him for a second ball duck in the first innings and for only 6 in the second. Thanks to some lower order hitting from Tim Murtagh and John Simpson, Durham were set a total of 130. By the time rain forced play to be abandoned, Durham were 82-6 in their pursuit of victory.
Division One Champions Lancashire's poor start to the season continued, as they were beaten by Warwickshire at Liverpool. Centuries from Darren Maddy and Rikki Clarke allowed the Bears to post a lead and 5 wicket hauls from Jeetan Patel and Keith Barker meant that they were only chasing 70 for victory. After a bit of a wobble, Warwickshire reached their target with 5 wickets in hand. At The Oval, Surrey's problems withbatting the April pitches continued. Stuart Meaker claimed career best figures of 6-39 in Worcestershire's poor first innings total of 119 all out. In their chase of 246, Worcestershire were 94-1 when rain stopped play.
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KP took time out of his busy IPL schedule to tell us that we're all jealous of the IPL. I know I am; what I wouldn't give to watch Dan Christian bowl full toss after full toss to someone in a fluorescent kit that looks like my Nan's pyjamas. KP then shut everyone up from talking about this by getting his first 100 in T20's against Deccan - now that, I'm jealous of.
The Essex Perspective
After the victory over Gloucestershire in the first week of the season, Essex had a week off in which they handed out jam near London Liverpool Street in the name of Graham Napier's benefit, had James Foster on the phones in the Essex membership office and ended up playing a one-day warm up match against the Unicorns.
In very chilly conditions, Essex beat the Unicorns side by 124 runs (D/L). They, like against Gloucestershire, had piled on the runs, reaching 300-7 off their allocated overs. Tom Westley was top scorer as he hit 105 off 93 runs, and captain James Foster hit 42 off 21 deliveries. In reply, the Unicorns could not reach their revised target and Tymal Mills was the only Essex bowler not to pick up a wicket. Napier picked up 3 for 13, Masters 2 for 19 and spinner Tim Phillips chipped in with 2-21.
England's under-19s managed to win their play-off for third place against New Zealand, and were helped in the run chase by an Essex youngster, Ben Foakes. Foakes, who finished third leading run scorer of the quadrangular series, scored 105* and, in an unbroken partnership of 109 with captain Adam Ball, managed to see England home by 6 wickets. Bowler Reece Topley was also in Australia. In the 4 matches he played, he claimed 4 wickets at 30.50. He did finish with a better economy than Aussie quick Patrick Cummins though...
Speaking of Essex youngsters, we move on to Headingley, where Essex began their first away game of the season. With a first day washout, Essex returned to Headingley to find a blow to their bowling attack, as Graham Napier had been ruled out with a calf strain. Essex brought in the left arm spinner of Tim Phillips, but Napier's injury meant that David Masters would, once again, have to lead a fairly inexperienced attack containing the 19 year old Tymal Mills and Maurice Chambers, who fluctuates between the First and Second XI.
Having been made to field by Yorkshire, Masters provided the early breakthrough as he got Root caught at short leg by Billy Godleman. Phil Jaques, who I remember doing this and this against England in 2006, joined Joe Sayers at the crease and set about laying the foundations for a huge first innings total. Just before lunch, Tymal Mills was brought on for a quick burst and he managed to get the breakthrough, strangling Sayers down the leg side.
The Essex bowling, with the exception of Masters, was expensive. Mills, Maurice Chambers and Greg Smith kept feeding Phil Jaques and Andrew Gale with short and wide half volleys for them to send to the boundary with ease. Chambers provided Jaques with a wide delivery outside off and that was off to the boundary for a four, meaning that Jaques had a century on his return to the county.
Essex were facing conceding an enormous first innings total and in desperation, and with Tim Phillips mysteriously off the field, Foster brought on the part-time off-spin of Tom Westley. With the partnership between Andrew Gale and Jaques growing, it was a surprise that Westley was the one to provide the breakthrough. Gale managed to turn one off his pads straight into the waiting hands of Billy Godleman at short leg.
Mills, now bowling from what he deemed his preferred end given that the Rugby Stand End was "all mud", was brought back on to replace Chambers and so began a very quick spell. If you're a bit of a cricket romantic, you should really read into Mills' rise from club cricketer in Suffolk to bowling against Sangakkara to bowling for the England Lions in the space of just 6 months because it is absolutely remarkable. Here, he managed to get Bairstow to fend a short, well directed and fast delivery straight to Alviro Petersen, who actually had his hands out of his pockets long enough to take the catch. Ballance then fell into the trap of trying to hook Mills, but only ended up seeing it fly straight into the hands of Charl Willoughby, who was on the field to replace Tim Phillips. Anthony McGrath then decided to leave one and he was gone LBW. Mills had 4 wickets and left those at the ground wondering what the future might hold for the 19 year old.
Yorkshire's tail crumbled and, having looked like they were on their way to an enormous total, like Kent had got during the first game of the season, they found themselves all out for 246, four short of another bonus batting point. However, for anyone who watches Essex regularly, you will know that Essex's top order is just as brittle and here, it did not disappoint.
Yorkshire's accurate bowling once again exposed Essex's batting frailties. Billy Godleman was first to go, out LBW to Ryan Sidebottom. Godleman was unhappy with the decision, perhaps feeling as though he'd been struck outside the line. However, he had to go and Essex had once again lost an early wicket. At the start of Sidebottom's next over, Tom Westley was gone LBW, out for a golden duck. It brought to the crease Ravi Bopara, who finally had an Essex helmet rather than the tragic sight of his England one with a piece of sticky tape covering up the England badge.
Bopara survived two hat-trick deliveries in his innings, one off Sidebottom and the other off Steve Patterson, who managed to get a three wicket maiden. Petersen had another failure, Wheater went for a duck and Smith was gone for a golden on his 29th birthday. It was up to James Foster and Bopara to try and steady the ship, but with a long tail, it looked like Essex would be lucky to reach 150.
Luckily for Essex, Yorkshire have problems finishing off the tail and they allowed Bopara to reach first his half century and then his century on the morning of day 3. Foster, the second highest scorer with 25, had gone early. Masters had been bowled by Shahzad and Tim Phillips came in with a runner. Usually, he can bat a bit and would come in before Masters, but he was clearly struggling with a back injury and was unable to move his feet at all. Sidebottom picked up his 5fer as he managed to get Chambers out LBW.
Bopara was looking likely to be stranded as, from what we've seen so far of Mills, it's clear he's not the best with the bat. However, Bopara farmed the strike well and, thanks to some generous bowling from Shahzad, brought up a very well worked ton. He had, somehow, survived the previous evening, but now he was in and playing a mature innings, like at Southend against Leicestershire last year, to help his team out of a very deep hole. Had he not run Mills out, who had got 2 off 41, Essex would have reached a batting bonus point, something that seemed a pipe dream with the side having been 42-5.
In Yorkshire's second innings, Greg Smith bowled slightly better and did pick up two wickets. Root was caught down the leg side and Bairstow went in search of quick runs but instead found Wheater in the deep. Chambers was still as expensive and inaccurate, so question marks will surely hang over his place in the squad for the upcoming match against Northants. Masters was as carthorse-esque as ever, racking up the overs and bowling economically. Mills, whilst he did not take a wicket, bowled far, far more accurately, with just as much pace and was far more economical.
Had the rain not come along, although credit to Essex's rain dance for ensuring that it did, Essex were facing an incredibly tricky run chase after a very positive declaration from the Yorkshire skipper. Petersen struggled with Shahzad in both innings and Essex will be hoping that he can find some form soon. Essex will hope that this batting performance at Headingley is just a one off, but the batting frailties of last season do still appear to be there. With Bopara expected to be on England duty, Petersen, despite looking out of touch, only here until June and Alastair Cook now seemingly doing everything for England, the top order will remain a concern over this season.
Eagle of the match: It was a close run thing with Tymal Mills, but I'm going for Ravi Bopara. To anchor one end, finish not out and score over half the runs as the team around you crumbles will provide Bopara with great confidence and he is, after all, one of those "confidence players".
Around the Country
Rained ruined the majority of the matches around the country, but it didn't stop Hampshire winning by 2 wickets against a Glamorgan side who have now lost all three of their County Championship matches. There was a positive for Glamorgan though, as their second innings was the first time they've made a score of 200+ this season. The other matches in Division Two saw Kent and Gloucestershire draw at Canterbury. Kent had been chasing 363 for victory, but Gloucestershire had them 98-2. At the County Ground in Derby, Leicestershire had piled on the runs in the first innings and had set Derbyshire 314 for victory. Derbyshire were 91-0 when play was abandoned.
In Division One, Somerset will be thoroughly disappointed as the weather meant they couldn't romp home to victory at Trent Bridge. Peter Trego took only his second first-class five wicket haul and may well have ended up with 10 wickets in the match had rain not cut short play. Somerset also leave Trent Bridge with injury concerns over captain Marcus Trescothick (ankle) and Steve Kirby. Over at Lord's, Middlesex were made to cry by Graham Onions, who picked up the first 10 wicket haul of his career. Awful puns aside, Onions claimed the wicket of England captain Andrew Strauss twice, bowling him for a second ball duck in the first innings and for only 6 in the second. Thanks to some lower order hitting from Tim Murtagh and John Simpson, Durham were set a total of 130. By the time rain forced play to be abandoned, Durham were 82-6 in their pursuit of victory.
Division One Champions Lancashire's poor start to the season continued, as they were beaten by Warwickshire at Liverpool. Centuries from Darren Maddy and Rikki Clarke allowed the Bears to post a lead and 5 wicket hauls from Jeetan Patel and Keith Barker meant that they were only chasing 70 for victory. After a bit of a wobble, Warwickshire reached their target with 5 wickets in hand. At The Oval, Surrey's problems with
Around Cricket
KP took time out of his busy IPL schedule to tell us that we're all jealous of the IPL. I know I am; what I wouldn't give to watch Dan Christian bowl full toss after full toss to someone in a fluorescent kit that looks like my Nan's pyjamas. KP then shut everyone up from talking about this by getting his first 100 in T20's against Deccan - now that, I'm jealous of.
The second West Indies v. Australia test was hit by technical difficulties as Australia left the field after discovering no DRS was in use. After all, DRS has been around since the dawn of cricketing time. Or maybe Simon Katich had been tampering with the electricity.....
International cricket will have to wait to return to Pakistan as a proposed Bangladesh tour is banned by court order. This is disappointing for anyone who saw the intensity of the Pakistan v. Bangladesh game in recent weeks, but this makes it clear that safety comes first for the cricketing boards.
And to end on a positive note, Twitter came to the rescue this week after Adam Hollioake, brother of Ben, tweeted that his late brother's England kit had been stolen from their parents' home in Perth. Following Twitter calls for help from the international cricketing community, some of the kit was returned to the Hollioake family. Lovely!
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