In weather that would have graced any summer's day Hampshire showed that their abject cricket of Monday was not the only trick in their bag for as we basked in unbroken sunshine their batsman dug in and lost only three wickets in the day, enough to save the follow on and make it unlikely that Yorkshire can pick up a win today.
If the sun was the star of the day then the villain was the pitch which was unresponsive to almost all the Yorkshire's bowlers' efforts. Vince and Ervine looked comfortable from the start although the Zimbabwean was subject to a round the wicket attack from Plunkett that would have unsettled the best of batsmen. A fierce blow on the hand required several minutes treatment and throughout the rest of his innings Ervine showed signs of discomfort which made his innings of over five hours even more commendable. After Vince went, lbw Patterson for an impressive 119, Ervine found good support from Wheater and later in the day McLaren and Wood passed the 442 needed to save the follow on.
The day was not without its lighter moments, when the ECB changed the rules relating to the toss in order to encourage more spinners they probably didn't have Gary Balance in mind but if counties know that there is probably about 90% chance that they will be invited to bat then we must not be surprised if pitches last four days and teams are difficult to winkle out. The current match at Headingley has produced over 1000 runs, at Lord's Middlesex and Warwickshire haven't finished the second innings yet, at Bristol it is Derbyshire 444, Gloucestershire 563, three situations that will hardly whet the appetites of fourth day spectators.
For those looking for something a little more interesting today then Old Trafford looks almost to serve up a win for Lancashire but probably before lunch, a hefty come down for Notts after their win over Surrey last week. In South Wales Leicestershire will fancy their chances of an early season victory against Cardiff, when did the Foxes last win the opening match of the championship campaign, but were the helicopter not in for service then I would be off to Hove to grab a deckchair, apply factor 30 and enjoy a natter with old friends while two of the favourites for the one promotion spot battle it out. Alas it's a border day for me, herbaceous not Alan.
Spectators enjoy their recently granted freedom to roam at Headingley yesterday
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