Absent friends and Rich pickings

Posted by Tony Hutton

A very bad day for Yorkshire cricket, but fortunate for some regulars they had decided to travel to pastures new forsaking an eventful and almost unbelievable day at Headingley.

As you will have read John Winn was in Norfolk (possibly the best place to be - as far away as possible). Other regulars Brian Sanderson was reported to have gone to the snooker at the Crucible in Sheffield and David Thorpe had travelled to Wrexham to see Huddersfield Giants given a good thrashing by the Crusaders. No sign either of Brian Senior, perhaps he had gone to Durham where another shock result looks on the cards.

Whatever one thinks of Yorkshire's rare ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory today, one must acknowledge that it proved once again what marvellous entertainment the twists and turns of a county championship match over three or four days can provide.

To briefly summarise the events of the last three days - Yorkshire bowled brilliantly on day one to dismiss the county champions for only 143. Stars of the show were the newly rejuvenated Rich Pyrah (as he has become known in the media - previously Richard) and prodigal son Ryan Sidebottom against his former team.

Having almost earned Yorkshire a draw with Durham in the previous game with his batting, Pyrah's bowling was a revelation, bowling a perfect line and length with the batsmen having to play at every ball. Some brilliant catching made Yorkshire look an excellent side in the field.

When Yorkshire batted, Root went for nought, but Lyth and McGrath had a good partnership which took the score to 106-1 before the rot set in and soon they were 166-5. However Rashid joined captain Gale in a good partnership and Yorkshire were
213-5 at the end of day one.

On day two Rashid was soon out for 40, then Pyrah and Sidebottom both for no score. Wainwright made a useful 19, but last man Oliver Hannon-Dalby came in with the total 254-9. The tall fast bowler, not known for his batting, managed to stay with Andrew Gale for almost an hour, during which the captain not only went to his century but proceeded to thrash the Notts bowlers all round the park. He finished with a magnificent 145 not out, with fifteen fours and two sixes, when the obdurate Hannon Dalby was dismissed for two out of a partnership of 82.

Yorkshire rammed home their advantage by taking Notts' first three second innings wickets for only 38, but Alex Hales played another fine innings adding to his 85 in the first innings with another 83. Sidebottom and Pyrah were well among the wickets again and Notts ended day two on 175-6.

Good Friday morning and Yorkshire's supporters were in good humour expecting a certain victory, perhaps before lunch. Sadly it didn't work out that way.
The overnight batsmen, skipper Chris Read and Lancastrian Steve Mullaney, batted throughout the morning session. Both made scores into the eighties before Rashid took three wickets to finish off the innings. Yorkshire required only 145 runs to win.

Victory still seemed certain with such a modest target but of course there are always some who fear the worst and prophesied a sting in the tail. So it proved as Yorkshire lost Lyth lbw to Shreck not playing a shot and then McGrath first ball, also lbw to Shreck, a bowler who was out on loan to Kent only a few weeks ago. Gale, after his first innings heroics predictably fell cheaply, bowled by Fletcher and Yorkshire were soon 15-3.

Franks came on first change and took the wicket of Root in his first over, 44-4.
Johnny Bairstow was the only batsman to emerge with any credit at all, battling hard for a fine 50 not out. If only someone could have stayed with him, he would surely have won the match, but the remaining batsman subsided rapidly to Franks, Fletcher and Patel. Yorkshire amazingly all out for only 86 and Notts celebrated a famous victory.

An incredible game of cricket which left the Yorkshire supporters stunned and the Notts followers cockahoop.