Ben Coad hailed Jonny Tattersall’s best knock for Yorkshire after the pair helped put the county in a fabulous position after day one against Leicestershire at the Uptonsteel County Ground, Grace Road today.
Coad claimed a stunning 5-15 from 10 overs with the new ball as Leicestershire were bowled out for 98 inside 25 overs on a green pitch this morning.
Tattersall won a crucial toss and then made Leicestershire’s job much harder after lunch, finishing unbeaten on 90 out of 263-8 – a visiting lead of 165.
He was well supported by a number of contributors, with James Wharton making 41, Dom Bess 33 and Matthew Fisher 28 not out.
And Tattersall will hope to complete a third Championship century in the morning having previously hit 180 not out against Surrey at Scarborough in 2022 and 107 against Derbyshire at Chesterfield earlier this season.
“That’s definitely his best knock that I’ve seen him play,” said Coad.
“It’s what he does.
“The two games you speak of there, we weren’t in great positions when he came in. He grinds it out when you really need it, and that’s why he’s captain when Shan isn’t here.
“He leads by example on the pitch. He’s not the most vocal, but that’s the sort of thing you love to see.”
Tattersall’s first contribution today was calling right at the toss. When all’s said and done, it could prove to be a vital moment in Yorkshire’s season should they get promoted.
“Very happy,” said Coad. “It was obviously a big toss to win for Tatts.
“I didn’t think it would do as much as it did when I first looked at it. I knew it would nip, but it seemed to nip every ball. It was just about putting it in the right area and let the pitch do its thing.
“I move around the crease a bit, but it’s just about hitting the top of off-stump as often as possible. You just have to be patient.”
Leicestershire slumped to 15-7 and did well to get 98 in the end, thanks to wicketkeeper Ben Cox’s 51 off 31 balls.
“You always know there’s going to be a bit of a partnership,” said Coad. “We would have loved to have got them for less than what they got, but it happens when they chance their arm.
“If we’d have known we were bowling this morning, we’d have snapped your hand off for 98.”
Coad was excellent, Tattersall too. But another important contributor was Matthew Fisher, who claimed three wickets and hit 28 not out with the bat late in the day.
Fisher hasn’t played since May because of ankle problems. It has since been announced that he will be leaving Yorkshire at the end of the season for pastures new.
Coad said of his new ball partner: “It’s been a long road for Fish, and it’s great to see him back out there. I’m going to miss him big time, but chasing what he’s chasing (England) I can kind of understand it. And I wish him well.”
And on Yorkshire’s performance with the bat, the new ball seamer added:
“The lads’ plans were awesome.
“It was tough out there, but they knew their scoring options and nullified them. They got them into their second spells. Even on that pitch, with any old ball it’s a lot easier to bat against.
“We ground them into the ground, got them into their third spells and it became a lot easier.
“For myself and Fish tomorrow, it’s about guiding Tatts to his hundred, and then we’ll see how far we can get ahead – hopefully getting another bonus point.”
