Yorkshire stand on the verge of defending the County Championship after completing a ruthless demolition job against Somerset on the third day of a one-sided contest at Headingley.
The hosts took eight wickets in the morning session to leave Andrew Gale’s side knowing that if second-placed Middlesex fail to beat Warwickshire this week, Yorkshire will need a maximum of six points from their final three fixtures to retain their title. The chance to lift the trophy at Lord’s next week with a win or a draw against their rivals will surely be inspiration enough for a team brimming with confidence after a season to savour.
The speed of this victory, Yorkshire’s third win by an innings in their last seven games, emphasised the strength of their bowling attack with Ryan Sidebottom (three for 32), Steven Patterson (three for 43), Jack Brooks (two for 49) and Tim Bresnan (two for 28) sharing the wickets on a morning that started in a fashion which gave little guide as to what was to follow.
Somerset, who are not yet safe from relegation, added 43 runs to their overnight score of 44 for two in 10 overs before Tom Copper chased a wide one from Patterson and was caught behind for 28. The impressive Patterson repeated the trick to Jim Allenby four overs later and, when James Hildreth’s 77-ball innings of 57 ended in the next over after edging Brooks to Adam Lyth at second slip, the rot had truly set in.
The New Zealander Luke Ronchi scored 22 on his debut before he handed Sidebottom the first of two wickets in the same over, as the visitors lost their last five wickets for just 18 runs, Bresnan sealing the win when Tim Groenewald was caught at point by Gary Ballance. The carnage was completed just inside 90 minutes during which 19 overs were bowled. It was a rout.
The return of the England duo Lyth and Jonny Bairstow and the continuing availability of Ballance, dropped after the second Ashes Test, clearly boosted the county after all three made half-centuries here, but it was lesser lights such as Patterson and Brooks who were as crucial to this victory as the batsmen.
“Jack had a point to prove because no one wants to be left out and it dented his ego a little bit,” said Gale, on his decision to drop Brooks, who finished with match figures of seven for 84, for the county’s previous Championship game against Sussex.
“All the lads’ lengths were good and we pitched the ball up and were prepared to be driven and bring the slips into the game.”
For Gale, the chance to finally lift the Championship trophy after the captain was banned from doing so last season at Trent Bridge, due to his suspension for comments he made in the Roses clash at Old Trafford, has added an extra incentive to what could be a memorable week for Yorkshire.
“To go to the home of cricket, where I’m sure people will travel, will be a fantastic experience and the motivation to lift that trophy after what happened last season has been a big drive for me,” he said.
“I kept my mouth shut throughout this game, let the other lads do the talking and I’ll be keeping my mouth firmly shut and concentrating on the job from now on.”
Further success for Yorkshire could also come in the Royal London One Day Cup, in which they play Gloucestershire in this Sunday’s semi-final. “This win will give the lads even more confidence,” added Gale. “The prospect of doing the double for the club is massive. We have never done it before and we will really have the bit between our teeth.”
The Somerset captain, Marcus Trescothick, rued his side’s first innings, in which they were dismissed for 110 on the first day. “This was a comprehensive defeat and we were completely outplayed and not in the game after losing the toss.
“Yorkshire have executed their skills far greater than we did in every aspect of the game and we were not good enough over the three days. It is why they will almost certainly be champions for the second year and they have shown what the benchmark is if you are to compete in this competition.”
