Yorkshire save their best for last

Ballance and Bairstow leave the field after victory over Somerset at Headingley

Posted by Tony Hutton

Saturday 10th September - Yorkshire v Somerset at Headingley (Day 4)

John Winn set the scene perfectly for Yorkshire's last day of the season. Although technically not yet relegated even a win would mean Worcester needing only one point from their game with Durham next week.

John's suggestion that what was needed this morning was an early burst by Ryan Sidebottom came true with a vengeance. With only four runs added to the overnight score of 124-6 Sidebottom bowling up the hill from the rugby stand end had Thomas caught at slip by Lyth. Next ball, the first of Shahzad's over, the second of the South African duo, Meschede, was clean bowled and Somerset were 130-8.

The next over by Sidebottom completed the rout. Kartik caught behind by Bairstow off the first ball and Kirby plumb lbw to the fifth and Somerset were all out for 132.
The relatively small Saturday crowd could hardly believe their eyes and the public address announcer got in a mess with how many wickets Sidebottom had taken. However he soon got his breath back to announce career best figures of 7-37 and a total of eleven wickets in the match.

So far so good, but could Yorkshire chase the fairly modest target of 203 or could that awful collapse against Kent exactly twelve months ago be repeated. Root and Sayers predictably started slowly against the hostile opening attack of Kirby and Thomas. Root then began to play his shots and hit eight fours in well constructed 46 before Thomas had him lbw for the second time. 85-1 and acting captain Sayers looking as though he was determined to see Yorkshire home.

However he soon lost Lyth to an impatient shot after making only three in thirty three balls. Suppiah taking a stunning diving catch at mid-on worthy of a top goalkeeper. Sayers soon followed, another good catch this time by Trego at slip off spinner Kartik. This brought together Anthony McGrath and Johnathon Bairstow at 103-3and the pessimistic among us thought could this be the start of a collapse.

After a hesitant start McGrath, after a poor run of form, started to play the shots we know he is capable of and Bairstow, fresh from the award of the Player of the Season at lunchtime was his usual confident self. After a few scares along the way, particularly when Kirby and Thomas returned for a final fling, this pair took Yorkshire to the verge of a famous victory. Three fours in an over by McGrath, not all going quite where intended, off the perspiring and angry Kirby, seemed to turn the tide.

Bairstow went to his fifty and a thousand Championship runs, before McGrath was out for 44 trying to hit the winning runs and Ballance came in to complete the job. Some may say too little too late but at least this victory will give Yorkshire heart for the battles to come in the second division against some new opponents next season.

The rumour mongers have been active all week, mainly with suggestions of which players may leave, but the evidence is there for all to see, there is talent in this squad of players, with more waiting in the wings after a successful season for the Academy. Alex Lees, 12th man in this match, must be one who will come into the reckoning. Clearly something is missing, whether it be concentration, commitment or discipline and perhaps better leadership might be the key.

What else can be said other than this was Sidebottom's match. Eleven wickets and 27 valuable runs in the first innings. will have many people who expressed doubts regarding his re-signing (myself included) eating their words.