Sonzack and State turn things round

posted by John Winn

Having been part of a cast of thousands on Monday I decided to join a smaller choir yesterday and opted for the 40 minute drive to Weetwood where on another glorious day Yorkshire U17 were entertaining their Derbyshire counterparts. Jennifer and Tony Hutton had wisely pitched camp in the shade and by the time of my arrival  the visitors had already lost a wicket. They continued to struggle throughout the morning and at lunch were 64 for 5. The Yorkshire youngsters had bowled 38 (sic) overs in the morning mainly through spinners Shutt and Logan, remember when that sort of productivity rate was a feature of the first class game? If you do you are probably not listening to Radio 1 while reading this.

Our discussions had been given added gravitas by the presence of Ralph Middlebrook, his observations on the England situation were of particular interest. Keep Cook captain but bat him at five and make him field at mid off so he can talk to his bowlers was one (or three) suggestion(s). The fall of the sixth wicket coincided with the arrival of John Rex, feeling a little hoarse and under doctor's orders not to talk too much. I think it's called irony.

 

Cooling off at Weetwood

 

Derbyshire's position was rescued by a seventh wicket stand of 122  between M Sonzcak and D State who ground away against the Yorkshire spinners. That it did not make riveting entertainment, riveting itself might have been more entertaining, is illustrated by the disclosure that our discussions strayed as far regional variations in the use of words like ginnel, jennel or snicket. The innings finally closed on 235 with Shutt having taken 4 for 60 off 25 overs. Yorkshire start today on 4 without loss.

Meanwhile there were more stirring deeds elsewhere for at Marske by Sea Yorkshire II were giving Durham II a fearful larruping with Pyrah hitting 128 off 73 balls with 13 sixes and at Scarborough as Brian has described Yorkshire winkled out Middlesex after tea to go top of the championship table. I expect Rodgers and Gale did shake hands but not quite at the time and in the way I predicted in yesterday's posting.

 Yorkshire lead Notts by five and Somerset by sixteen with Warwickshire still in the middle of the twelfth game, a further 9 points away. Middlesex are in the middle of the table and probably not quite sure how much is in the glass, for yesterday's defeat leaves them 37 points behind Yorkshire and over their shoulders Sussex and Durham have games in hand. Time to gather your breath while the championship does the same until the next round begins on August 15th. Sussex will be at Scarborough and the authorities will be hoping for similar weather to the last few days. So will I. Hope to see you at Harrogate in the next three days.