Yorkshire see off Essex in remarkable style
Andrew Gale, Yorkshire’s coach, spoke glowingly about his side’s character after a come-from-behind -victory against the champions, Essex, from 50 all out – a win in which Joe Root had a significant part to play despite only scoring nought and 35.
Twenty wickets fell before tea on the opening day, with Yorkshire conceding a first-innings lead of 92. But Jonny Bairstow opened the batting in the second innings in place of the impressive 19-year-old Harry Brook and the England wicketkeeper delivered a quick-fire 50, allowing the visitors to eventually set a target of 238.
Essex started day three on 97 for four and were all out for 146 within 90 minutes. The reliable seamer Steve Patterson, whose 350th first-class wicket was Alastair Cook late on day two, took a career-best six for 40 in Essex’s first defeat in 19 Championship games dating back to September 2016.
“The way Jonny came out and set the tone of how we were going to go about our [second] innings, it changed the momentum of the game,” Gale said. “It’s something Rooty and myself spoke about. We then put it to Gaz [Gary Ballance] and said to Jonny: ‘Do you fancy going in first? We don’t want you to go in and slog, just be yourself and be positive. You have a licence.’ You know what Jonny’s like. When you set him a challenge, he sticks his chest out and does the business.
“It was important we threw some punches back. The batting display in the first innings was terrible. It was unacceptable. But we have worked hard this winter on our team spirit and never say die attitude. That shone through the game.”
Day three went perfectly for Yorkshire as they won with their lowest first-innings total since 1922, when they were bowled out for 42 by Sussex at Hove. They took four wickets without addition as Essex slipped from 114 four to 114 for eight, with their in-form new‑ball seamer Ben Coad taking three of them as he bowled through an ankle injury which may threaten his involvement against Surrey at the Oval this week.
But the standout innings of the match proved to be Brook’s second‑innings 124, his maiden first‑team century. A particular feature was how he attacked the spin of Simon Harmer. Gale said: “Harry was unbelievable. He was the only one who looked at home on that pitch. The way he played spin was fantastic. He’s got a big future. We’ve said that from the outset. He looks at home in the first‑class game.”
The England batsman Dawid Malan posted a 206-ball 119 in his first appearance of the season for Middlesex, who are defending a 230 target against Sussex (35 for two) in Division Two at Hove. There were wins for the -leading pair Warwickshire and Kent over Derbyshire and Glamorgan respectively, while Durham are fighting hard to avoid a home loss to Leicestershire.
In Division One, the leaders, Nottinghamshire, set Hampshire 469 to win at Trent Bridge. They closed on 111 for three. The England Lions duo Keaton Jennings and Joe Clarke hit centuries for Lancashire and Worcestershire, who are involved in high-scoring games with Somerset and Surrey. Clarke made 157.
I wonder whether Nottinghamshire are getting twitchy? Surely there’s too much to do for Hampshire at Trent Bridge, despite their encouraging start led by former England under 19 Joe Weatherley. In pursuit of 469, he has helped them reach 79/0 with a 110-ball fifty. He has Jimmy Adams for company, although the experienced left-hander is playing second fiddle. They still have 13 overs remaining to be bowled tonight.
And that will be it from me this evening – thanks for your company, and do stay below the line.
Joe Clarke has his century for Worcestershire, who are 391/5 in response to Surrey’s 434 at the Oval and heading for a first-innings lead. He is unbeaten on 112. Lancashire are all out for 492 at Old Trafford with a lead of 63 over Somerset. Dane Vilas finished unbeaten on 235. There are 18 overs remaining in the day. I wouldn’t like Somerset to be three down overnight if I was one of their supporters. In Division Two, Sussex need 230 to beat Middlesex at Hove after the visitors were bowled out for 322 in their second innings. That chase is just about to get underway.
The third result of the round is in. Kent have held their nerve to beat Glamorgan at Cardiff. Having bowled their hosts out for 94 in the first innings, they had to chase a 195 target but did so with six wickets in hand thanks to Heino Kuhn’s 69 not out. They have joined Yorkshire and Warwickshire as early victors and have now won two from three in Division Two this summer and go second behind the Bears.
Former South Africa wicketkeeper batsman Dane Vilas has completed his second double century for Lancashire following one in his first season at Old Trafford last year. But the Red Rose are nine down. They lead Somerset by 28 and have lost their last four wickets for 12 runs. Vilas is still there on 203.
Keaton Jennings completed a century in that match this morning, and his England Lions team-mate Joe Clarke is close to doing the same for Worcestershire against Surrey at the Oval, where it looks for all money like a high-scoring draw will be played out tomorrow. In replying to Surrey’s 434, Worcester are 350/5 at tea. Clarke has 88.
Could Lancashire be about to put Somerset under a bit of final day pressure, taking into account Marcus Trescothick’s metatarsal injury virtually leaving them a man down already? You would think he would only bat if it gets desperate. Lancashire, with Dane Vilas unbeaten on 177, are 408/5 in reply to 429. There are still 44 overs remaining in the day at Old Trafford.
Aiden Markram is 66 not out for Durham and has shared an unbeaten century opening partnership with Cameron Steel having been asked to follow-on by Leicestershire at the Riverside. At 113/0, they still trail by 143. To say Markram will be relieved after three ducks maybe an understatement. Remaining in Division Two, Kent are dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on victory over Glamorgan at Cardiff. They are 125/2 chasing 195. Dawid Malan is out for 119 at Hove, where Middlesex and Sussex are locked in a cracker. Middlesex lead by 158 with five wickets left.
Back in Division One, Nottinghamshire have set Hampshire 469 to win at Trent Bridge. The chase is yet to start.
Just a final thought on this game at Chelmsford. A bowlers’ game without doubt, which made Harry Brook’s 124 in Yorkshire’s second innings all the more impressive. I think you will be hearing a lot more about this 19-year-old. Yorkshire coach Andrew Gale certainly thinks so. He said: “Harry was unbelievable. I wanted him to get a few more and was disappointed in the way he got out at that stage of the game. But I thought he was the only one who looked at home on that pitch. The way he played spin was fantastic. He’s got a big future. We’ve said that from this outset. He’s had a real good winter and carried that form on. He looks at home in the first-class game. Nothing really fazes him, and you always felt a big score was around the corner.”
Dawid Malan has his century at Hove, 169 balls with 11 fours. He has helped Middlesex to 209/2, leading Sussex by 116. Nick Gubbins is also unbeaten on 87 as he looks to start his season in style following injury whilst taking part in the North v South series in Barbados in March.
Kent are on course at Glamorgan. They are 48/0 chasing that 195 target, with Sean Dickson (16) and Daniel Bell-Drummond (23) doing the business. At Hove, Dawid Malan is into the nineties and, hopefully, about to give new national selector Ed Smith something to smile about. Smith, incidentally, was at Chelmsford on Saturday, where he would have seen one for the future in Harry Brook.
Yorkshire coach Andrew Gale on his side’s victory over champions Essex: “Lunch on the first day as a coach, there’s not much you can say. 50 all out and six out of the top eight are international players. To get rolled out like that and go on to win the game is unbelievable really.
“The batting display in the first innings was terrible. It was unacceptable. We spoke about that. But we have worked hard on our team spirit and belief this winter, our togetherness and never say die attitude. That shone through the game.
“Even though we were up against it at 50 all out, we came out in that little four-over period before lunch on day one and picked up a couple of wickets. We had a little chat at lunch and said ‘Come on, let’s give it everything we can’.The way Jonny came out and set the tone about how we were going to go about our (second) innings, it changed the momentum of the game.”
Elsewhere at lunch, Lancashire are 330/5 replying to Somerset’s 429, with Keaton Jennings it for 109 and Dane Vilas unbeaten on 149. Notts are 280/3 in their second innings against Hampshire at Trent Bridge, leading by 359. A morning century for Steven Mullaney there. At the Oval, Worcestershire are 228/2 replying to Surrey’s 434. Tom Fell unbeaten on 76.
In Division Two, they’ve started at Cardiff following a leak under the covers, with Kent 17/0 chasing 195 to beat Glamorgan. Durham are 36/0 following-on against Leicestershire at the Riverside and 220 behind. Aiden Markram IS off the mark. Warwickshire have beaten Derbyshire at Edgbaston, while Middlesex are 171/2 in their second innings against Sussex at Hove, leading by 78. Dawid Malan is unbeaten on 87 at lunch.
Yorkshire have won by 91 runs, bowling Essex out for 146. Tim Bresnan took the last wicket, and Steve Patterson claimed career best figures of 6-40. What a fabulous win for Yorkshire from being bowled out for 50 in their first innings. Remarkable.
Warwickshire have completed victory over Derbyshire at Edgbaston by eight wickets, with Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell posting 35 and 34 respectively in a match-clinching partnership of 60 to help the Bears strengthen their position at the top of Division Two. Nottinghamshire skipper Steven Mullaney has a morning century against Hampshire at Trent Bridge as they press ahead. At 198/2 in their second innings, they lead by 277. Essex still nine down here.
Dawid Malan is unbeaten on 66 for Middlesex, who are into the lead against Sussex at Hove. At 121/2, they lead by 27. Malan has shared an unbroken 112 with Nick Gubbins, who is unbeaten on 47. Still no play at Cardiff. Meanwhile, here at Chelmsford, Essex are 124-8. Peter Siddle has nine and Jamie Porter one. They need 114 more to win.
Ben Coad has struck three times in 11 balls without conceding a run, and Essex are 114-7 and heading for their first defeat in 19 Championship matches dating back to September 2016. He has trapped Ryan ten Doeschate and Simon Harmer lbw and had James Foster caught behind. Essex still require 124 more to win with Dan Lawrence unbeaten on 32 and Peter Siddle yet to get off the mark.
Keaton Jennings has his maiden Lancashire century, off 234 balls with 16 fours, as the hosts continue their strong response to Somerset’s 429 at Old Trafford. Dane Vilas (89) isn’t far behind him, with the pair having shared a third-wicket stand of 186 and counting. Play has been delayed at Cardiff due to an overnight leak onto the covers.
Yorkshire have the breakthrough here at Colchester, Ryan ten Doeschate lbw Ben Coad for 34. Essex are 114/5, needing 124 more.
Interesting from Yorkshire. They opened the bowling with Joe Root this morning, but only for one over. And he nearly had the breakthrough as Dan Lawrence shimmied down the track and miscued him in between mid-on running around and deep mid-wicket running in. Now it’s Steve Patterson and Ben Coad. Essex 107-4.
Scenesetter
Good morning from Chelmsford, where we are greeted by wall to wall sunshine for the third day running. Essex will begin day three on 97/4 in pursuit of 238, and in keeping with the first two days of this crazy fixture, I expect them to be nine down needing five or six at some point this afternoon.
Both sides are chasing their second victory in four matches this season. If Yorkshire can win having been bowled out for 50 in their first innings, it would be their lowest first-innings winning total for 96 years when they beat Sussex at Hove having been bowled out for 42 with the likes of Holmes, Sutcliffe, Rhodes and Leyland in their side.
There was split opinion in the press box last night regarding who holds the upper hand. The pro Essex theory was built around having Ryan ten Doeschate at the crease and James Foster to come, both players who thrive in this sort of situation. The pro Yorkshire theory was built around two quick wickets this morning leaving Essex at 120 or 130 for six. Then it’s a long way from home.
Elsewhere in Division One, Nottinghamshire have Hampshire by the throat at Trent Bridge. They are 136/0 in their second innings leading by 215. In the other games, Lancashire and Somerset and Surrey and Worcestershire are playing at out what look like being high-scoring draws at present, although that could change with two days remaining. At Old Trafford, Keaton Jennings is 91 not out and closing in on a first Lancashire century. Dane Vilas has 83.
In Division Two, current leaders Warwickshire are 19/1 chasing 89 to beat Derbyshire at Edgbaston, with that game into its fourth day. Durham are 142/7 replying to Leicestershire’s 440 at the Riverside, with South Africa Test opener Aiden Markram posting his third duck on the bounce yesterday for the hosts. He has not yet got a run as Durham’s overseas player. In a game similar to the one at Chelmsford, Glamorgan have recovered impressively from being bowled out for 94 by Kent at Cardiff to still have a chance of victory. They conceded a first-innings lead of 80, but are currently 273/9 and lead by 193 - Jack Murphy and Shaun Marsh with half-centuries.
And, finally, pre-season title favourites Middlesex’s stop-start beginning to the summer is in danger of taking another jolt having been beaten recently by Derbyshire. They are 64/2 in their second innings against Sussex at Hove and trail by 29. Dawid Malan is unbeaten on 34. By no means out of it, but with work to do.
Scores at stumps on day two:
Division One
Surrey 434 v Worcestershire 135-1; Worcs trail by 299
Notts 302 & 136-0, Hampshire 223; Notts lead by 215
Lancashire 217-2, Somerset 429; Lancs trail by 212
Essex 142 & 97-4, Yorkshire 50, 329; Yorkshire lead by 141
Division Two
Sussex 323, Middlesex 230 & 64-2; Middlesex trail by 29
Glamorgan 94 & 273-7, Kent 174; Glamorgan lead by 193
Durham 142-7, Leicestershire 440; Durham trail by 298
