Yorkshire problems on and off the pitch

 Posted by Tony Hutton

I have followed the fortunes and misfortunes of Yorkshire county cricket club for more years than I care to remember, but recent events do seem to have overshadowed most of the public relations disasters over a long period of time. I remember seeing Azeem Rafiq captain an England under 15s side, which included Joe Root and Ben Stokes, at Loughborough University. At that time you envisaged he would enjoy the same sort of glittering career as his two team mates. I also recall being present at Worcester when he scored his one and only first class century and was sure that a long and successful time in the county side awaited.

Azeem Rafiq's one and only century for Yorkshire at Worcester in 2009.

Sadly none of this came to pass and the current controversy has obviously been going on far too long and does the county club's reputation no good at all. Whatever the rights and wrongs of Rafiq's complaints the matter should now be made public, without any further delay, and resolved in the most satisfactory way possible. This will not be easy but the results of the enquiry must be acted upon promptly.

All was peace and tranquility earlier in the week when Yorkshire's second eleven turned up at Leeds University to play a four day game against Derbyshire seconds in front of a small but select gathering of hard core spectators. One encouraging feature was the return to action of Dominic Leech, the young quick bowler, who was badly injured in the Roses game at Headingley. He was soon back in action when Derbyshire batted first and took an early wicket, that of Tom Wood who recently scored a first team century. However Tyler McGladdery, one of five Lancastrians in the Derbyshire side played the sheet anchor role, batting for three hours to top score with 77.

County second eleven cricket always springs surprises and it is interesting to work out who all the players are. The other Lancastrians were batsman Sam Kershaw, who was at Leeds Beckett University, leg break bowler Matty MacKiernan, who we remember performing well for Cumberland, together with the two opening bowlers Ben Aitchinson, who has seen recent first team action, and Ed Moulton. Another newcomer was the diminutive wicket keeper Jamie Baird on trial from Somerset.

Jamie Baird , the young Derbyshire wicket keeper.

Apart from Wood a series of thirties from Kershaw, Butchart (who made a century for Loughborough University here earlier in the season) and local lad Nils Priestley all contributed to the final all out total of 299 just before the close of day one. Tom Loten took two wickets in an over to end the innings with the new ball and finished with the best figures of 3-23. Jack Shutt the off spinner took 3-68.

The second day meandered somewhat as none of the early Yorkshire batsmen made more than twenty odd and it was left to opening bowler Matt Pillans, who scored a rapid 44, including five fours and two sixes, to provide some action. Yorkshire seconds were all out for 207, trailing by 92 runs. Matt MacKiernan took 3-40 in a long spell of leg spin and there were also three wickets for Moulton and two each for Aitchison and Dal. By the close of day two Derbyshire had extended their lead and finished on 113-2 with Wood on 67 not out.

Mattie MacKiernan the Derbyshire leg spinner.

Unfortunately as the early arrivals for day three discovered, a covid case had been discovered in the Yorkshire ranks and the game had been abandoned as a draw after only two of the planned four days. Although early notification appeared on the county website and social media it was obviously not in time to stop several supporters travelling some distance, particular a good few from South Yorkshire.

During the first day the Yorkshire Under 18 squad had been training hard on the adjoining ground and eventually all departed, complete with large amounts of luggage, for their overnight hotel prior to a three day game with Lancashire Under 18s at Middleton cricket club the following day. Sad to say heavy rain on the other side of the Pennines prevented play on the first two days and today, which should have been day three, only saw 16 overs bowled, during which Yorkshire made a disastrous 12-5 before the rains returned and the game was abandoned! Not the best of weeks for Yorkshire cricket at all levels.