Following my trip to Sedbergh on Monday I spent the following two days at Scarborough in the company of friends John Gawthrope and Arthur Bartle and on Wednesday in particular a day's play aided by lovely weather came as close to perfection from a Yorkshire member's point of view as one dared hope. Some even developed a taste for the craft beer in the members' bar.
Most of our readers will by now be aware that the game went within ten balls of being a draw but that does not do justice to the fluctuations in fortunes throughout the day. At start of play I tipped the draw, JG reported that some Surrey members he had met were pessimistic and no doubt there were Yorkshire supporters who were similarly minded. Before play John and I chatted with BBC London's Surrey man, Mark Church who predicted a close run thing. But I get ahead of myself for Tuesday was not without incident. Our journey was first of all bedevilled by road works that forced us to use a level crossing to access which you have to ring a bell to alert the keeper to your presence. He was far from pleased to be disturbed from his breakfast and then having stocked up with lunch at the wonderful Glaves' butchers about 8 miles west of Scarborough John drove off before all of Arthur was in the car. Philips Stick a Soles are still available Arthur.
Tuesday began with Yorkshire at the crease and again Lyth and Fraine gave them a good start. With other useful contributions coming from Kohler-Cadmore, Tattersall and Willey it was 303 for 9 at stumps, a lead of 268, not bad in itself but any runs scored on the last morning would be of value. In ten overs Code with a little help from Olivier and a fair slice of luck, shifted the odds significantly by reaching 48, the lion's share of a last wicket partnership of 57. 318 to win and 83 overs to get them.
Elgar and Stoneman turned things the champions' way again with a stand of 93 for the first wicket and it was 136 for 1 when a beauty from Willey, who had a good match all round, cleaned up Borthwick, a suggestion of played on here. Madness was still a short time away but at 157 for 2 brilliant work from that man Willey again ran out Elgar and at the same score Coad removed Foakes and Curran. Shortly after tea Maharaj, who had kept one end tight removed the stubborn Patel and three balls later Clarke joined him in the pavilion. Five wickets for six runs and if not quite a start the car moment at least time to check you haven't lost the keys. But wait, for Smith is now joined by Clark without an e and he stays for over an hour during which time Patterson persisted with Olivier who persisted with the short ball. Finally he pitched one up that did for Clark and Morkel who has played 86 test matches ran himself out without facing when he should have been leaning on his bat at the non-strikers end. Not quite over yet and the home crowd's anxiety mounted as Yorkshire appeared to lack urgency. 33 minutes passed until finally Lyth took a catch to remove last man Batty. Yorkshire's players soaked up the moment as the crowd rose to them. What a day and a bit of icing for me when the news came through that Vilas and Bancroft had shaken hands at Sedbergh and Durham had extended the unbeaten run to four matches.
Yorkshire go to Chelmsford next week to face second placed Essex who crushed the hapless Notts on Wednesday. The received wisdom is that it will turn and that Logan might be teamed up with Maharaj. Who will make way if he does? Answers on a postcard. Surrey are at The Oval where Kent who are just one point above them in the table are the visitors. The other Division 1 game is at Taunton where Notts will be relishing facing the Somerset attack. Four matches in Division 2 and all seven games begin on Sunday. Nothing further north than Grace Road. Rubbish!
A picture of Sam Curran taken from our now favoured position by the boundary.
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