Williamson does a Joyce

posted by John Winn

I have spent two absorbing days at Scarborough where in each innings the batting side has been dug out of,if not its grave, then the long grass at the edge of the cemetery by quality batting. For Sussex who having been put in by Gale, and this surprised all those within earshot of the McCain's Chips banner at the north end of the ground, had been 45 for 2 with both openers back in the pavilion, Joyce came to the rescue. To effect the recovery he had help first of all from Cachopa, the pronunciation of whose name caused the man on the pa a bit of bother. New Zealander he may be but I understand he can trace Portuguese ancestry and it is this that enables him to play as non overseas. He made 53 and then the Sussex skipper was joined by Luke Wright whose energetic approach showed why he is highly valued in T20 cricket.

Joyce's dismissal for 130 brought stumps and the loss of four wickets in the last session left the game nicely poised. By dint of an early departure from the Lower Ure Valley we had arrived in good time and had chosen our spot for the day on the basis that the wind was blowing off the chilly waters of Peasholm Park, where yesterday our boys gave the Graf Spee what for. This position gave us shelter from the wind and at times we enjoyed pleasant warm sunshine while some of those who prefer the Trafalgar Square end were wrapped in blankets. Wherever they chose to sit they came in numbers that would make the treasurers of counties like Leicestershire and Northants wonder if it is the same game. There were goodly numbers from Sussex including two long standing friends of mine from my time in that county who when the day grew cold retired to their guest house from whence they could follow play. Nesh or what?

Yesterday we returned to the same vantage point but the wind direction was less predictable and the jumperless moment was very short. Sussex had the best of the morning thanks to Magoffin and Hatchett with the bat and when Lyth and Lees could only muster three between them I swear I heard somebody whisper 'That's the championship gone', but Gale batted positively and Williamson stood firm. The day did not pass without controversy for when the New Zealander edged to Treadwell* a catch was claimed and he (Williamson) looked as though he had accepted it was legitimate and set off for the pavilion but he was encouraged to stay by his team mates and in the end an umpires conference ruled in his favour.

Strength in numbers for Sussex

What a mess we have got in with this mode of dismissal. The fielder knows better than anybody whether he has made a clean catch and replays are often inconclusive but it is perhaps the technology that has made us doubt the fieldsman's word and so where there is no replay we have unpleasant situations like yesterday. In such cases we must accept the umpire's verdict but batsmen are increasingly inclined not to do that for a variety of dismissals. Piolet for example seemed to have stepped in Evostik when given out lbw yesterday. As I type more than 24 hours later, Williamson is approaching a double century: let me know if he receives rapturous applause from the Sussex side if he reaches that milestone.

A day off for me today and despite the possibility of an interesting day at North Marine Road tomorrow I am 99% certain to go to Trent Bridge to see England Under 19s take on their South African counterparts but will be back at Scarborough on Thursday for England v India women's elevens.

Finally some of you will be aware that Tony Hutton had heart surgery on Thursday at the LGI but I have had an email from Tony today in which he reports good progress. I am sure all who know him  will wish him a speedy recovery. If I have any further news I will pass it on via another posting.

* In the tea interval I was told by a man who had been told by another man that Tredwell had previous of this type of behaviour at Scarborough. This must have been in 2008 when he was in Kent's colours which of course he still wears but not when the ball is red and that's another cockamamie situation altogether. Wisden shows that he pouched three in that match but does not mention if any were dubious.