Optimism dashed

Posted by John Winn

I thought I had enjoyed the last two days at Scarborough in the company of two friends from Sussex who follow their county to most of its away venues but by the time I got home this evening I began to think I had got things wrong.On the one hand what was not to enjoy? Joe Root, whose career many of us have followed through the academy and second eleven, made his maiden first class century and was eventually dismissed for 160, albeit in controversial circumstances. As my view of 'the catch' was obscured by the sight screen I can offer no opinion on its legitimacy but it occurred when the balance of the game was moving in favour of Yorkshire. Root and Ballance had added 190 for the fifth wicket and reduced the first innings deficit to 53 when Root was out and from here Yorkshire lost their remaining wickets for 43 runs.
First ball after lunch Ballance who was closing in on a well deserved century, pulled a long hop into Goodwin's hands at long leg, the Sussex players, thirsty after one ball in the field, celebrated with a drink, and by mid afternoon they were batting again.
Although I left the ground shortly after tea I did so thinking that if Yorkshire were able to prise out two or three Sussex batsmen before the close at not too steep a cost then Saturday might offer an interesting day's play, which indeed they did.At stumps Sussex had a lead of 136 with seven wickets in hand. A conversation with three fellow train travellers however, put my guarded optimism into a completely different light. Firstly the point was made that today had been the sort of day that nobody should have to pay to watch for the run rate had been slow, (2.73 per over) and that neither side really had showed much interest in winning the game. To make matters worse Worcestershire were making a decent fist of chasing 329 to beat Lancashire so we must face the ignominy of hoping our red rose rivals win a game that will take them to the top of the table in order to save Yorkshire from relegation. From this point the discussion widened to include various suggestions as to how such turgid days as today can be avoided, these suggestions included the return of the heavy roller to break up pitches to enable spinners to thrive and even a return to uncovered pitches. If the worst happens and Sussex bat themselves to safety tomorrow at a scoring rate similar to today's and Worcestershire's remaining five wickets get the 126 they still need for victory then the memory of two days at my favourite ground in lovely sunshine in the company of long standing friends will be as nothing.