A pleasant day in the Headingley sunshine

Posted by John Winn

Second XI cricket at Headingley is never likely to set anybody's pulses racing and the positioning of the wicket so close to the West Stand that the players might have heard the ticking of the President's clock didn't help. Those of us who like to sit on the east side in the main conceded that to feel any connection with the cricket we would have  to overcome our ingrained habits and slowly a decent gathering of pcws assembled  in the Trueman Enclosure.

Lancs II were the visitors and on winning the toss opted to bat. Meetings between the two sides occur even more frequently than Ashes tests and whilst familiarity does not appear to have bred contempt  neither has it injected much tension. There was a little added interest today with the appearance of Bresnan and Gale for Yorkshire and we amused ourselves for a while playing guess the skipper. Gale seemed an obvious choice but eventually it was clear that Tattersall was in charge. Why we not sure, perhaps because he looks even younger than Root who of course was boss at Lord's.

A good third wicket stand saw Lancs to 141 for 2 at lunch with the Yorkshire spinners being on the receiving end. The afternoon was very much Yorkshire's however with Ashraf leading the way with four wickets. An irritating tenth wicket stand delayed tea until the innings closed on 222. By stumps Yorkshire had made 81 for 2 with Gale contributing 40.

Throughout the day Malcolm was tuned into 5live Extra and its commentary from HQ which amounted to a more or less continuous stream of good news. Yorkshire's seamers ensured that yesterday's poor first innings was enough to give a decent lead which was built on during the afternoon. The weather may have the last word but a second victory of the season remains a good bet.

The second XI match, which I understand is part of the Roses Challenge, is likely to have problems with rain on Wednesday but don't worry for the two sides meet again on Friday in two T20 matches at 11:00 and 2:30. Should your palate for such fare be a trifle jaded by then you might prefer the two day university game at Weetwood beginning on Thursday.