Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Yorkshire opener Fin Bean is hopeful of a Yorkshire win over Essex.
Fin Bean says there are increasing signs of life from a placid Clifton Park pitch as Yorkshire look for a route to victory over Essex during the final two days of their crucial Rothesay County Championship clash at York.
This Division One fixture between two struggling counties has been a slow burner, with Yorkshire 143-3 in reply to Essex’s 368 all out.
Opener Bean had a bird’s eye view of a pitch which has lacked pace, both as a fielder and then as a batter. He contributed 31 to an opening stand of 81 with Adam Lyth, who remains on 65 not out.
“The pitch is starting to do a bit with the spin,” said the left-hander. “It’s just going to be hard graft. But the game is moving forwards, and we’ll see where we get to tomorrow.
“It’s about batting big and getting as far ahead as we can. Then we’ll see. Hopefully it starts to spin more and brings Dom Bess into the game. The seamers will then have to do the hard yards again!”
Yorkshire claimed the last seven Essex wickets for 95 either side of lunch, the visitors slipping from 273-3.
“It’s been tough,” said Bean. “It’s about being patient when you’re bowling and with the bat, it’s about doing the good things for a long period of time as well.
“Yesterday, we didn’t quite get our rewards wickets wise, but the game didn’t get away from us. Then we got the rewards today.
“It was an unbelievable effort from our bowlers. They’re long days in the heat, and it’s tough on the bowlers physically and mentally. I thought we were great as a unit.
“Adam Lyth’s been brilliant for us all year. You know what you’re getting. He’s playing well at the minute, and hopefully he can go big with Jonny Bairstow tomorrow.”
Bean was caught behind down leg for 31 by Michael Pepper off Shane Snater’s seam during the second half of the day.
He has been one of four batters on either side strangled in this match.
“It’s frustrating, especially when you think you’re playing well,” he added, ruefully, on the back of last week’s excellent career best 224 at Nottingham.
“I feel like my game’s in decent order. I’m finding a bit of rhythm and am striking the ball better. But a strangle down the leg-side happens. It’s part of the game.”
