Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Ben Cliff appeals for the wicket of Josh Thomas.
Yorkshire fast bowler Ben Cliff was on media duties at Headingley this evening after taking three wickets with the new ball to help his county fight back with gusto on day one against Rothesay County Championship leaders Somerset.
Yorkshire were bowled out for 212 early in the evening session before restricting Somerset to 68-5.
Cliff took three as the visitors slipped to 24-4.
The fast bowler took three wickets in a Championship innings for the first time.
Earlier, captain Jonny Bairstow made a fine 79 and shared 83 for the sixth wicket with George Hill, whose 45 ensured a crucial recovery after lunch from 85-5.
Cliff said: “It was a nice day at the office for me and nice to get a couple of poles this evening and put us in a good position.
“There’s a bit of extra bounce, but it’s a good wicket. There’s been a lot of nick-offs, but there’s extra bounce and pace. It was nice to bowl seam on.
“We would have wanted more runs, but I think we’ve put ourselves in a decent spot. The way we backed it up with the ball this evening has made it good total.
“We’ve had a couple of good results this block of matches, and it’s all about momentum, especially four-day cricket. We’ve backed last week up well. It’s a good day, but there’s three more to come.
“It’s really promising signs, but being one of those top teams is the next goal. It’s all about momentum and how you back up good days of cricket but also belief.
“The win we had down at Hampshire, which is a place where we haven’t had much success, the belief that built was massive.”
