England stars Harry Brook and Joe Root underpinned Yorkshire’s commanding first-innings 450 for five declared with contrasting but excellent centuries against Derbyshire during today’s second day at Headingley.
But, unfortunately, the bowlers were held up later in the day to frustrate the home bid for victory in this Vitality County Championship fixture. Wayne Madsen led the way for Derbyshire as they closed on 190-3 from 63 overs.
The 40-year-old batted with an injured right hand, suffered whilst trying to take a catch at first slip yesterday. He came in at 15-2 and finished the day on 88 not out.
Brook and Root shared a double century partnership for the fourth wicket – 201 to be precise – as Yorkshire advanced from 276-3 overnight.
Brook, 44 not out at the start of play, top-scored with 126 not out off 135 balls. Root, unbeaten on 65 overnight, was bowled for 119 off 190.
Yorkshire then had almost two sessions with the ball from just after 2pm.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Joe Root celebrates his 10th first-class century for Yorkshire.
With a poor forecast for day three, they wanted to get bowling as soon as possible.
And they made a superb start, reducing Derbyshire to 23-3 inside 13 overs. Matthew Fisher struck twice in a superb new ball spell which cost him only seven runs in six overs.
Unfortunately, Yorkshire were unable to build on that as Madsen shared an unbroken 167 for the fourth wicket with wicketkeeper-batter Brooke Guest, who himself closed on 74 not out.
Brook and Root had shared 71 during the latter stages of the opening day of this Division Two fixture, with the pair causing Derbyshire a significant headache in building on that good work.
Root was first to his century, off 163 balls, and Brook followed him shortly afterwards off 102.
Root now has 10 first-class centuries for Yorkshire in 58 appearances and Brook nine in 59.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Joe Root reverse ramps Zak Chappell for six.
Brook was particularly dominant and very often dismissive of the Derbyshire bowlers. He lap-swept Alex Thomson for four, a particularly memorable shot, and later pulled Luis Reece for six over deep backward square-leg.
By his own admission, Root battled through his innings, though there were plenty of signs of excellence.
He reverse ramped seamer Zak Chappell for six over third today, a shot right out of England’s Bazball coaching manual.
Root and George Hill were both bowled today by Chappell and New Zealand overseas fast bowler Blair Tickner before lunch, with the declaration coming 15 minutes afterwards once Yorkshire had reached 450 for batting point number five.
Within the space of three balls at the start of the sixth over of Derbyshire’s innings, Fisher trapped Harry Came lbw and had captain David Lloyd caught at third slip by Fin Bean.
Shortly afterwards, the same fielder in the same position helped Ben Coad remove Reece – 23-3 in the 13th over.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Matthew Fisher appeals, successfully, having struck Harry Came on the pads.
However, in good batting conditions, that was as good as it got.
Madsen showed no obvious sign of discomfort during a battling innings, and he even shimmied down the pitch and lofted Hill’s seam over long-on for six at one stage.
Guest was strong off his legs, though was handed a life on 35 when dropped off Fisher by his fellow keeper Jonny Tattersall down the leg-side after tea.
Guest reached his fifty first, off 82 balls, and Madsen followed off 109 balls. By the time the latter raised his bat, Derbyshire were 132-3 in the 43rd over and in a much safer position as they looked to take valuable time out of the game.
The duo batted on to further boost the visitors.
If, of course, the weather doesn’t arrive tomorrow, both sides will believes their chances of victory are high. And, despite their late frustrations with the ball, Yorkshire are in the stronger position of the two sides.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Fin Bean takes a slip catch from the bowling of Matthew Fisher to dismiss Derbyshire’s David Lloyd.
