We made a good choice to go to Scarborough on day one of the three day second eleven friendly game with Durham. Tuesday 18th September had a definite end of season feel about it, with the handful of hard core spectators sheltering from the strong wind either at the Trafalgar Square end or in the comfort of the pavilion. First impressions were that Yorkshire looked a little short of batting with only four specialist batsmen included, but not for the first time we were proved totally wrong.
Ben Birkhead, who has done so well both as wicket keeper/batsman and captain of the Academy side this season made a useful 32 in an opening partnership of 55 with Tom Loten, not usually an opener.
Loten progressed slowly to 44 in company with the impressive George Hill, who we have seen score a lot of runs this season. We have seen him score three centuries for different teams, but a possible fourth was just out of reach when he was given out lbw for 79.
By the time he was out he had put on a century partnership with Jack Leaning, who batted on for the rest of the day to complete a hard earned century. A bright and breezy 34 from Mathew Fisher kept the score pushing along against a variety of Durham bowlers. In fact ten of their twelve man squad turned their arms over during the day, including no less than three slow left armers in Hussain, Trevaskis and Ahmed.
Despite the wind, the sun shone for most of the day, and ensconced in the upstairs pavilion bar, surrounded by all the many photographs of famous cricketers from the past, proved a comfortable way to spend our final session of the season at Scarborough. Shaw and Leaning continued to pile up the runs against bowlers struggling in the persistent cross wind from the west. Our last view of the sea, during the tea interval, saw it as calm as a mill pond with the off shore breeze having no effect on the water whatsoever.
The following day, by which time we were back at Headingley for Yorkshire v Hampshire, Yorkshire batted on and reached 492-7 with Shaw also completing a century. Durham batted for about an hour before lunch to make 50-2. After the interval only a couple of overs were bowled before the wind gained in strength and made it impossible for the players to continue. The covers were being blown in the air, and later the sight screens were blown over which brought an early conclusion to the day's proceedings.
Apparently on day three, in much calmer conditions, play continued to mid-afternoon before the rains came and the match was abandoned as a draw. In the play that was possible wicket keeper Ryan Davies made an excellent century, 142 in all, with good support from Scott Steel who made 66. The tail rather collapsed to 295 all out with Leaning picking up three cheap wickets at the end. Not much joy for either of the two recent signings, Poysden and Pillans, who have yet to make any impression.
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