Academy's last home match

Posted by Tony Hutton

Saturday 28th August, 2010 - Yorkshire Academy v Castleford (Headingley)

Yet more confusion, as so often seems to be the case where Yorkshire cricket is concerned. Several spectators turned up at the Weetwood ground just before twelve noon, only to find the place deserted. Fortunately someone had John Blain's mobile number and was able to find that the game had been moved to Headingley.

Ten minutes or so later we managed to get to Headingley to see John Blain opening the bowling. The very strong wind made conditions very unpleasant for the players and the few spectators all huddled under the new pavilion to get some shelter.

After the early dismissal of Andrew Bourke for 19, Chris Young and Yorkshire player David Wainwright put on a hundred partnership for the second wicket before Young was bowled by Randhawa for 59.

With little other support, Wainwright batted through the rest of the innings to be unluckily stranded on 98 not out at the end. Some tidy spin bowling by Randhawa with 4-69 and Jack Hughes restricted the scoring rate and Castleford finished on 228-9 which could be regarded as par score for 55 overs.

Those of us who had watched the Rugby League cup final on TV were very disappointed with the heavy defeat of Leeds Rhinos and hoped for better things as the Academy set about the Castleford target. Alex Lees was bowled by Wainwright for only 20 and although Callum Geldart with 53 and Irfan Amjad with 41 batted well, nobody got a really commanding score.

Wainwright and Randerson bowled twenty overs of spin each and worked their way patiently through the middle order and tail, with only Randhawa with 25 putting up much resistance. Wainwright finished with 6-68 with two easy stumpings towards the end and Randerson 4-49 as the Academy were finally dismissed for 179.

So a Castleford victory by 49 runs, but the Academy can take heart from a pretty good season with a very young team and plenty of promise for the future.