BLINDED BY THE LIGHT

          By Brian Sanderson,

                                       I am reporting after spending another three days at Headingley at the Warwickshire match. During the last three days I have been with my friend from London and arriving home late at night so now I can give my report on the last three days.On Monday we saw the end of Ian Westwood innigs on 196 which beats the highest score by Warwickshire players. The previous holder was Chanderpaul who had scored 193 in 2011. Warwick finishd on 435 in 144 overs so  not a first scoring rate.

The  next major talking point of the day was the catch by Mc Kay ,wicketkeeper,off Rankin to dismiss Pujara.,The two umpires had a discussion about weather he had dropped it  but in the end the batsman had to go.I was sat in the Long Room in the warmth so I could not see.Yorkshire were 128 for 3.

Third day  Rankin obtained two wickets with the help of the Yorkshire batting and were 222 for 5.Another big talking point of the match was the dismissel of Andrew Gale who was on 96. Rankin bowled a full toss and Gale decided to take a swing at the ball and finished up caught.There was a discussion again with the umpires over the height of the ball and they said they were not certain it was over mid height.I think the general feeling was Gale was unlucky to be given out.Yorkshire finished on 435.

After tea the new floodlights were switched on just  before 5 pm. See the photograph at the top of the blog.A hour later both teams left the field  either due to bad light or cold. As again the wind chill factor caused the temperature to be freezing. I watched from the warmth of the Long Room.

Today started sunny but during the morning hailstones desended on Headingley causing a early lunch.After twenty minutes after lunch Warwick declared on 219 for 7 so a lead of 352. Yorkshire had 68 overs to win the match and started well .

At tea Yorkshire wanted about 230 of 40 overs with eight wickets in hand. However Pujara and Gale were out and the match fizzed out to a draw. Yorkshire being 221 for 4 off 64 overs.At the end of the day the sun was shining into the long Room making me move into the shade.

Agood draw for Yorkshire with players missing in the West Indies but Warwick I thought could have pushed stronger for a win.

Ian Westwood ,star of the match.

Blinded by Light is a excellent song by Manfred Mann issued in 1976.