Only Joe takes Root

Posted by John Winn
Having suggested in yesterday's posting that today's play would be intriguing I feel that if intriguing suggests more questions than answers then what happened between 1:40 and 3:50 at Headingley certainly fits the bill. Having quickly disposed of the last Durham wicket Yorkshire were batting before noon and had overcome the dismissals of Lyth and McGrath to reach 93 for 2 by lunch. 140 minutes after the resumption Yorkshire went to tea wondering if Benkenstein would ask them to follow on.In the event Durham, as they had done at The Rose Bowl last week, chose to bat again and at the close, reached prematurely because of bad light, had a lead of almost 250.
In the afternoon session Yorkshire lost 8 wickets for 56 runs off 34 overs. Moreover Ian Blackwell was allowed to bowl 18 overs, including ten maidens, for 12 runs and the normally free scoring Gerard Brophy mustered 19 not out in a shade under two hours. For Yorkshire supporters seeking to take some comfort from these strange goings on then the innings of Joe Root, his first in the championship in front of his home crowd, is the best bet. Twenty year old Root top scored with 45, close behind him came extras with 39, largely courtesy of no balls from Onions, who in his first first class game since January 2010, took five wickets.
Anticipating that Yorkshire would be asked to follow on the most pessimistic of their members had begun to consider how they might spend Saturday, even those blessed with a more optimistic disposition had begun to consider a 'plan b' for Sunday. If it is any help, tomorrow sees the start of league cricket in Yorkshire and on Sunday there are the first round ties in The Heavy Woollen Cup, the draw for which is available on this website.
In recent years, however, there have been instances of sides successfully chasing down large totals in the fourth innings. Throughout the day I have been in contact by text with a friend, a Durham member, who is on holiday in Scotland.His last text of the day asked what might be a sufficient lead for Durham. I suggested 400 i.e. another 150 runs, but also pointed out that Yorkshire could not bad as badly as they did this afternoon. Messers Lyth, McGrath and Gale would surely agree.
Weeks ago I pencilled in a selection of fixtures in the Aire-Wharfe league for tomorrow's entertainment, but the prospects for Headingley are sufficently intriguing to leave me with an open mind.