1.50pm Play has unfortunately been called off for the day due to a wet outfield. We will try again tomorrow. Fingers crossed for better news.
The umpires are on their way out to the middle to inspect. #YourYorkshire
— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) April 13, 2018
1.30pm Elsewhere around the country, there are two games in progress.
In Division One at the Ageas Bowl, James Vince hit a brisk 75 in Hampshire’s lunch score of 131-3 against Worcestershir, while Division Two is underway with Middlesex and Northamptonshire at Lord’s. The hosts are 64-4.
1315 here at
YorkshireCCC</a> and the groundstaff have worked hard to dry the ground: covers, rope, sopper and sawdust. The standing water has gone but it’s still really squishy out there. I expect the umpires to abandon the day when they inspect at 1340. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bbccricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bbccricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YORvESS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YORvESS</a> <a href="https://t.co/2WAfcoo9xN">pic.twitter.com/2WAfcoo9xN</a></p>— Kit Harris (cricketkit) April 13, 2018
12.38pm Martyn Moxon gives his reaction to the delayed start of play: “To have the weather we’ve had over the last couple of weeks is hugely frustrating.
“To mark the start of the season like this is particularly disappointing.
“We practiced on it (Headingley) for the first time on Wednesday, and the outfield is just completely waterlogged. As soon as the bowlers run in a few times, you are looking at mud and water coming up.
“The outfield is in a bad way. We need some sun and wind very quickly.”
12pm The covers have been removed, aside from the one on the pitch to be used, but play today still remains highly unlikely.
LUNCH REPORT
There was no play possible before lunch on day one of the Specsavers County Championship match between Yorkshire and Essex at Emerald Headingley.
Umpires Richard Illingworth and Ian Gould will inspect again at approximately 1.40pm, with the prospects of play for the rest of the day rated as slim at best.
The covers are coming off at Headingley but the start of
YorkshireCCC</a>'s season doesn't look to be happening any time soon <a href="https://t.co/azdwDsnBTT">pic.twitter.com/azdwDsnBTT</a></p>— ITV News Calendar (itvcalendar) April 13, 2018
Overnight and morning rain, added to the recent wet weather over the last fortnight in the Leeds area, has left the outfield in a particularly soggy state, with Yorkshire groundsman Andy Fogarty bemoaning a “nightmare” scenario.
When play does start, champions Essex will hand a debut to Australian overseas seamer Peter Siddle.
Despite naming Ben Coad in a 12-man squad, Yorkshire have this morning ruled him out as he recovers from a hip flexor problem. The plan is for him to play in a second-team match against Lancashire next week.
Josh Shaw and Matthew Waite will benefit from the county’s ongoing injury and unavailability crisis in the seam bowling department.
10.45am Some quotes from groundsman Andy Fogarty as we prepare for a called off day I’m afraid. The umpires will inspect again after lunch, but be prepared for a call to be made then or shortly afterwards.
“It’s a terrible day for cricket and just a nightmare,” said Fogarty. “There’s nothing worse than a cricket ground with all your sheets on and no prospects of play.
“The weather’s been so bad over the last three or four weeks. We’ve had a couple of decent days, but that’s been about it.”
9am Good morning from an overcast and damp Emerald Headingley for the opening day of the new season.
The first day of this Specsavers County Championship match against champions Essex will not start on time following overnight and morning rain, added to what we have had over the last couple of weeks here.
The rain is as light as can possibly be at the moment, but the skies are grey and miserable.
We will obviously keep you informed as to the prospects of play throughout the day.
Yorkshire head into this match with unavailability and injury problems in their seam bowling department, with Steve Patterson a last minute absentee due to a broken finger in training on Wednesday. Josh Shaw and Matthew Waite have been included in Andrew Gale’s 12-man squad.
It is fair to say that this time last week, neither would have been expecting to feature.
Essex will hand a debut to overseas Aussie Peter Siddle, who plays the first five Championship matches before being replaced by Kiwi Neil Wagner, who helped win the title at Chelmsford last year.
Elsewhere in Division One, it’s a battle of the two former Yorkies down at the Ageas Bowl, where Craig White’s Hampshire face Kevin Sharp’s Worcestershire. At Emirates Old Trafford, Lancashire face Nottinghamshire.
