Regular readers of this blog will realise that Headingley is not really one of my favourite places for watching cricket, most certainly not when packed with T20 enthusiasts as it will be over the next few weeks. I would far rather be visiting some of my old haunts in the Lake District which John Winn enjoyed on Saturday.
However it was a rare occasion at Headingley as the Yorkshire Academy were playing their only match of the season on the hallowed turf. This was a Yorkshire League North encounter with Sheriff Hutton Bridge, now well established as one of the county's leading clubs and with county players such as Ed Barnes and Karl Carver in their ranks. Another, Matthew Fisher was on first team duty and unfortunately suffered another serious injury in the game at Chesterfield.
So in front of the usual sparse crowd which attends all Academy games, it was certainly an opportunity for players of both sides to not only play on a Test Match ground but to see their names in lights on the two giant scoreboards. The visitors batted first and opened with Ed Barnes who has been doing well with the bat in recent weeks, although very much a genuine all rounder. He certainly got the Bridge off to a very positive start hitting six fours and a six in an innings of 30. Obviously not too keen about running singles.
So with a scoring rate of over five an over from the word go it soon looked as if a total in excess of 250 was on the cards. The top eight batsmen all got runs in either the twenties, thirties or forties and although nobody got a really big score this consistency paid off with a final flourish bringing an unassailable total of 292-8 in fifty overs.
The home side were missing three players, George Hill, Dominic Leech and Finlay Bean, all on England Under 19 duty and certainly their bowling today was not up to it's usual standard. The two Sullivan brothers, both spinners, did not have one of their best days although Harry the younger of the pair bowled quite economically. Archie Greaves only came on towards the end and picked up two quick wickets but could possibly have bowled more overs.
The Academy innings got off to the worst possible start when opener Will Luxton, a century maker for the Under 17s last week, was hit on the helmet by Barnes after facing only seven balls and had to retire hurt. The other opener James Wharton, who batted very slowly for the second eleven recently was in similar mode and had made only 21 when he was caught behind. The two main men Revis and skipper Loten had already gone cheaply and to all intents and purposes the game was already over.
However some late aggression from the tailenders brought the Academy into the last over before they were all out for 167. Archie Greaves made a quick fire 40, including three fours and two sixes, but this was only token resistance against a good all round bowling performance by the Bridge. Two wickets each for Henstock, Carver, Mark Fisher and Sri Lankan Udayanga doing the damage.
So rather a one sided affair on the day but Sheriff Hutton Bridge are only seven points behind the league leaders Woodhouse Grange and will no doubt be serious contenders for the league title. They certainly enjoyed their day in the sun at Headingley, but it was a day to forget for the Academy who will no doubt do much better in the weeks to come.
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