SCORECARD

Ben Coad’s superb 5-18 from 13.2 overs led an excellent Yorkshire bowling display on day one of their final round Bob Willis Trophy clash with Leicestershire, who were bowled out for 124 at Emerald Headingley.

But the White Rose county’s hopes of reaching the five-day Lord’s final hang in the balance.

They know that whatever they do here, they cannot afford current North Group leaders Derbyshire to win with 20 points against Lancashire at Liverpool.

Yorkshire’s first priority is to win the North Group and must then finish as one of the two best group winners from the North, Central and South.

That means every point is going to be vital as they bid to finish ahead of the likes of Somerset, Worcestershire, Essex and Middlesex.

They already have three bowling points courtesy of Coad and company and would get five for reaching 400 inside 110 overs with the bat.

And they closed the opening day, curtailed by rain, on 36-2 from 12.1 overs, with Will Fraine unbeaten on 11 and Tom Loten seven.

Coad, whose first wicket was his 150th in first-class cricket, was outstanding as he led an impressive Yorkshire bowling display, with help from Matthew Fisher (3-29 from 12 overs) and Duanne Olivier (2-49 from 11).

This was the 26-year-old new ball seamer’s first appearance since the opening round win at Durham last month, when he tore an oblique muscle.

Adam Lyth – standing in as captain for Steve Patterson, who was a late omission due to back spasms – won the toss and elected to bowl in overcast conditions.

And Coad and Fisher, also playing his first four-day game since Durham having recovered from an abdominal tear, were quickly into their stride against a Leicestershire side playing only for pride.

The visitors slipped to 36-4 in the 17th over, with Fisher striking twice.

He had Hassan Azad and Colin Ackermann lbw, while Coad also pinned Azad’s opening partner Sam Evans lbw.

Olivier claimed the other morning wicket, courtesy of a brilliant one-handed return catch to get rid of Harry Dearden, who made 20.

Leicester reached lunch at 52-4, but things were about to get a great deal trickier for them against an on-song Coad, who gave them absolutely nothing.

Four of his first six overs at the start of play had been maidens, and he claimed four of the six afternoon wickets to fall as the visitors were bowled out, inside 49 overs, on the cusp of tea.

Coad had Rishi Patel (19) caught at second slip by Lyth – 59-5 in the 33rd over.

He then trapped Arron Lilley lbw and wrapped up the innings by getting wicketkeeper Harry Swindells (36) caught behind by Jonny Tattersall and Alex Evans caught by Lyth, the latter two in successive balls.

In between, Fisher had Ben Mike caught at third slip by Harry Brook, who also held on in the same position as Olivier got fellow South African Dieter Klein.

But the wickets continued to tumble.

Lyth was dropped at second slip by Foxes skipper Ackermann of left-arm quick Klein with the first ball of the Yorkshire reply.

Unfortunately, he was unable to capitalise.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore was caught at square-leg by Sam Evans off Alex Evans – 4-1 in the second over – before Lyth edged Klein behind with no further addition in the third over.

Fraine and Loten were at least able to steady the ship before rain arrived at 4pm with 28.5 overs still to be bowled in the day.

Umpires Peter Hartley and James Middlebrook abandoned the day at 5.20pm.

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