NOT A BAD DAY

By Brian Sanderson,

I had a busy day yesterday at Headingley but I did not see much cricket between Yorkshire and Nottingham. It was Heritage day so I was involved in a small display of my cricket memorabilia. The weather was cloudy and cold with rain arriving in the afternoon. Nottingham finished on 169 for 8. On the second day Nottingham were grateful for some spirited batting  in the first 45 minutes from Hilfenhaus and Luke Wood who advanced their stand to 65 in 14 overs before Jack Brooks bowled Wood and last man, Jake Ball, in space of four balls. Nottingham finishing on 224.

The start of Yorkshire ,s reply could  not have been more inauspicious, however, because Broad third ball got Lyth LBW.The next to go was Ballance turning  a ball from Hifenhaus straight into the hands of Patel at leg gully. So at lunch Yorkshire were 35 for 2.

In the afternoon Lees struggled to 15 from 21 overs before Btroad returned to bowl  and send his middle stump spinning.Gale and Leaning began to enjoy themselves with barely a false stroke between them.Gale moved on to his second highest score of the season on 38 and his half century came off 87 deliveries with seven fours. He straight drove Patel to the boundary to raise the century stand before Leaning  50 arrived off 77 balls with nine fours.

After the interval Yorkshire moved into the lead, Gale  completed his 17th century and his fourth against Nottingham- off 153 balls  with 14 boundaries.

The double century stand  came up and at 211 it beat  Yorkshires previous best for the fourth wicket partnership against Nottinghamshire  of 210 by Ted Lester and Willie Watson at Trent Bridge in 1952.

Leaning went to his century with a legside six of Patel. It was his third century of the season and was made off 155 balls with 14 fours.

By.  the end of he day Yorkshire were 302 for 3 . I overheard a Yorkshire supporter say it was not a bad day cricket. I think it was a great day for Yorkshire. Bring on tomorrow.