Fin Bean described a “special moment” as he chalked up a maiden first-team century on day one of the 2023 summer.
Opener Bean’s superb 118 underpinned Yorkshire’s 285-3 from 60 overs during the opening day against Leicestershire at Headingley, the 20-year-old backing up a friendly ton he had scored at the weekend.
Bean had family at Headingley today and was cheered to the rafters by his team-mates from the balcony this evening, including his close mate Ben Coad, when he reached three figures with an uppercut four off left-arm quick Michael Finan.
This is only Bean’s fourth first-class match after making three LV= Insurance County Championship appearances at the end of last season.
The left-hander, who shared a third-wicket century stand with fellow left-hander Dawid Malan – unbeaten on 91 himself, said: “It’s nice to get my first century in the first game of the season and to tick it off. Hopefully I can build on it and have a good year.
“You like to have a bit of self-confidence and back yourself to get centuries.
“I feel like my game’s in quite a good place. This is what you dream of as a kid. The lads were shouting my name on the balcony, and it was a special moment.
“I’ve had a few bits to work on this winter to get myself to a first-class standard, which was good to see last year. That (end-of-season run) exploited a few things in my game.
“It’s bizarre the differences you feel. I felt good up to 82 and then had quite a long rain-break, came back out and felt completely different.”
Bean turned down an Academy contract and left Headingley at the end of 2020, and he went working as a mechanic and played YPL North cricket for York.
He impressed the Yorkshire coaches when given a second chance last summer, making the headlines with his record-breaking 441 in the second team against Nottinghamshire – the highest ever individual score in the Second XI Championship.
“My time out of the game has made me appreciate it a lot more. It puts it into perspective,” he said before assessing the situation of the game in progress.
“We’ll look for full batting points, try not to bat again and bowl them out twice for a good win,” he added.
“The pitch is good. Shorter was a bit stoppy, but when they kissed the wicket it had good carry. It’s a good pitch overall.”
