Yorkshire seconds youngest ever side.

 Posted by Tony Hutton

While Yorkshire's first eleven were involved in a cliff hanger of a game at Headingley, losing by just one wicket at the end of day three yesterday, a very young second eleven side were in the process of gaining a resounding victory over Lancashire seconds at Stanley Park, Blackpool. We saw the first two days at Headingley with Yorkshire suffering from losing the toss and being inserted on day one, when they were bowled out for 134.

On day two Essex somehow managed to contrive a first innings lead of 91 thanks mainly to Dan Lawrence with 51 and Zimbabwean Shane Snater with a valuable 46. Snater it was who proved the match winner yesterday with an innings of 65 not out taking the visitors to the narrowest of victories with just one wicket remaining. Nice to see Steve Patterson taking 5-46 in one of his final performances for the county he has served so well.

Matthew Fisher's early morning pep talk to his young side at Blackpool.

We missed the finish at Headingley, having postponed our trip to Blackpool due to the first day being lost to rain and some uncertainty of day two. However day three was fine, with Yorkshire seconds already in a commanding position having scored 190 in their first innings and then taking four early Lancashire wickets when the home side batted. Matthew Fisher, returning to action after a long break through injury, took three of the first wickets and yesterday morning rounded things off with final figures of 11-8-9-6.

Matthew Fisher and Josh Sullivan enjoyed the morning session.

Lancashire were all out for 71 with apparently some resentment that they had been bowled out by an England bowler. However, after such a long break, it is quite usual for players to come back with a game or two in the second eleven. Fisher of course was the youngest ever first team player back in 2013 when only 15. Yet another 15 year old Will Bennison, an all rounder, was in the Yorkshire line up after a rapid rise from Ouseburn in the Nidderdale League to Sheriff Hutton Bridge in the Yorkshire Premier League North.

Distant view of Blackpool Tower.

Another view of the pavilion at Blackpool.

With several other teenagers in the side, along with others in their early twenties I am reasonably convinced that this must be the youngest ever side fielded by Yorkshire seconds, with Fisher senior man and captain. In Yorkshire's second innings Wharton and Duke, two with some experience, made 71 and 40 respectively before the two youngsters Noah Kelly and Will Bennison both played confident innings into the thirties. Yorkshire finally declared on 226-7, setting Lancashire an unlikely 345 to win.

Will Bennison hits a leg side four.

The two youngsters Kelly and Bennison undefeated at tea.

Yorkshire also fielded two pairs of brothers which must be another record of sorts with the Luxton brothers from Bingley joining the Sullivan brothers from Methley. The latter two are of course being released by Yorkshire at the end of the season, along with the tall all rounder Tom Loten, currently on trial with Nottinghamshire seconds. Sad to see all three go as Harry Sullivan in particular has had an outstanding record as a slow left arm bowler with both the Academy in previous years and the second eleven this season.

Two proud Dads - Messrs Luxton and Sullivan both with two sons playing.

Josh Sullivan, a leg spinner, also looks a fine prospect but has been out of action for most of this season with injury. However, the feeling is that the current Yorkshire management team are not interested in developing their own young players and are continuing the policy of bringing in rejects from other counties, many of whom are just not up to standard.

Harry Sullivan.

Harry Sullivan proved his point with a fine display on the final day taking 5-48, with brother Josh 2-59. Yorkshire bowling out Lancashire for 185 to win the game by 160 runs. Yorkshire have apparently arranged a further second eleven game next week against Kent at Folkestone, so the brothers may get one further chance of putting themselves in the shop window for other counties. Good luck to them both.