Reflections on Headingley

posted by John Winn


Like Tony and Brian I spent time at Headingley this week, enjoying Monday's lovely sunshine, making the right decision to go home when the rain came on Tuesday and remaining until Dunn, who had a match he will probably prefer to forget, was removed by Plunkett at twenty minutes to six on Wednesday evening.

At lunch on the last day I spoke to Brian Senior who was moving on to Weetwood declaring events at Headingley a 'foregone conclusion' by which he meant a victory for Yorkshire was inevitable. Quite right Brian although I wasn't sure I agreed with you at the time and those remaining the ground at 5:00 when Foakes, who had thwarted Durham at The Oval the previous work, was still batting were not convinced that it was done and dusted. Not until the Surrey keeper was bowled by Patterson, having faced 80 deliveries, was the door marked 24 points really open and two runs later Plunkett finished the job.

Others I spoke to in the lunch interval showed varying degrees of optimism but all were agreed that the key lay in the removal of one or both of Sangakkara and Davies who had pulled things round for the brown hats after the loss of two early wickets. The pair had added 122 in the first innings, they scored 56% of Surrey's runs in the match, and put together another century partnership on Wednesday until stand in skipper Root broke through by removing both batsmen. Roy, who clearly does not believe in currying favour with the Headingley faithful, we have long memories Jason, was dismissed by Brooks in between Root's two wickets and Burke, another who will not look back with pleasure on the four days, six runs and 1 for 74 off 12, did not trouble the scorers. Patterson's removal of Curran, Batty and most importantly Foakes turned if into when and the maximum points sent Yorkshire to the top.

I spent three or four sessions of the game in the company of a group of very loyal Surrey supporters, quick to acknowledge the brilliant batting of Root and Bairstow, and the fraities of their own side. In their defence they can point to the injuries to Footitt and Anzari and the absence of the younger Curran on scholastic duties, all of which leave them with a much weakened attack, not helped by Batty's reluctance to bowl himself. It was almost 250 for 3 when he finally took the ball on Monday, he too can join the company of those who in their twilight hours will not sigh nostalgically for Headingley 2016, a pair and 0 for 58 off 9.

Non cricketing duties will keep me close to home this weekend but I shall be at The Riverside on Monday for the second day of Durham's match with Lancashire, the only team with in Div 1 with two victories. This is one of eight matches starting on Sunday, the best we can hope for these days, but make the most of it for after next Sunday, when a further set of eight will begin, we will not enjoy such riches again until the grouse shooting season is underway. And if that is not distressing enough next Friday sees the start of T20, fantastic. Yorkshire travel to Taunton for Sunday's game without the two men who scored 74% of their runs against Surrey and who, more worryingly are unlikely to play another four day game for their counties this season. In a posting on the YCCC website yesterday the club confirmed that Willey will not return as a bowler for six weeks but might play sooner as a batsman but there is better news about Bresnan who enjoyed a good match against Kent II this week, 'close to a first team return' is the word.

I took this picture at Addingham on Sunday when John Gawthrope and I spent a lovely afternoon watching a village cup match in Wharfdale. Unless a cricketing miracle akin to Leicester City winning the Premiership took place after we left a much under strength Ouseburn were heavily defeated by their Aire-Wharf opponents. Despite a bit of cosmetic work on the handle it has seen better days.