Our somewhat earlier return from Scarborough enabled us to see the finish of a two day game at the University ground, Weetwood, Leeds between Yorkshire Academy and a Scotland Development XI.
Cricket in Scotland seems to have gone backwards somewhat in recent years and they have obviously been overtaken by Ireland, who have now achieved Test match status. However there was plenty of talent on view in the Scottish side, although they lost the two day game which finished on Wednesday.
The following day was taken up with two T20 matches and Scotland won them both, the first one very narrowly by only two runs and the second one by a more convincing margin of 37 runs. Whether the conclusion to be gained from this is that the slightly older Scottish team, players in their twenties rather than the young teenagers of Yorkshire, have perhaps played more of this format I am not sure.
The two day game was originally planned for two innings per side but Tuesday's play had been shortened by the afternoon rain following Scotland's dismissal for 225, with fifties for both Shah and English (good name for a Scot!). Yorkshire managed to pass their score some time after tea and batted on until close of play so theoretically won by four wickets plus a bit of batting practice.
Yassir Imtiaz, who has not been doing too well for the Academy's Saturday team came good today with a fine innings of 70 and looked set for a century before he was run out. There was a middle order collapse and it was left to captain James Logan and Ed Barnes to put on a good partnership to take the Academy past their target when Logan was on 33 not out and Barnes had reached 50.
The Academy side featured several new faces, including some very young ones, who may well appear in the Saturday Yorkshire League side during the second half of the season. These include wicketkeeper Litvin, from Grammar School at Leeds and Harrogate CC, all rounder Leech and spin bowler Josh Sullivan.
They all featured in the two T20 games on Thursday again played in perfect weather before a very small number of spectators who enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere after the big crowds of Scarborough. In the first game Scotland scored 140-8, with their most consistent batsman Chris Greaves top scoring with 47. Yorkshire just failed to get over the line with 138-7 despite skipper Logan's 32 not out.
In the second game Scotland made a similar score 135-6, Greaves again top scoring with 66 this time.
However the Academy rather wilted in the heat and struggled to make 92-9. Accurate bowling and some excellent fielding showed that the Scots had prepared for this format of the game whereas the Academy boys still have a lot to learn. Even so good entertainment - T20 without the loud music might catch on!
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