Coach Andrew Gale bemoaned Yorkshire’s inability to capitalise on the key moments as they lost their first County Championship match of the season, with Warwickshire triumphing by three wickets at York.
Gale pointed to Yorkshire’s first day collapse of five for eight as they fell from 93-1 to 103-6, meaning they could only post 259.
He was also frustrated to see two dropped catches in Warwickshire’s first innings – Will Fraine dropped Will Rhodes on one at mid-wicket as he went on to make 28 and Adam Lyth dropped Rob Yates on one at second slip. He went on to make 49.
In the end, Yorkshire, defending a final day target of 217, lost by three wickets with 10 overs to spare.
“It’s disappointing,” he said.
“I feel we got into positions of strength in the game.
“We’ve just talked in the dressing room about realising those positions and being more ruthless – 93-1 on the first morning having been put in in bowler-friendly conditions. We lost five or six wickets in no time, and suddenly you’re trying to scrape your way to 200.
“If you have your time again, you have to get to 120, 130 or 150-1 and get over 300.
“The batting in the second innings, we felt like we lost a wicket every time we got some momentum.
“They out-fielded us. I thought they saved 40 or 50 runs in the field and we missed two big chances. Frainey dropped Rhodes, which didn’t cost us that many but enough considering the margins in the game. Lythy chews those slip catches up for fun. They have probably cost us 70 runs.
“To be a good team, we need to improve in those moments. At times this year, we’ve done that. But we need to be more consistent.”
Nonetheless, Gale was still confident with the target Yorkshire set in the final 76 overs of their seventh game of the campaign.
“I thought 220 was very competitive,” he said.
“I thought we bowled nicely with the new ball even though we didn’t take wickets. That was key. You have to give Warwickshire credit, the two lads up front played well and set a foundation.”
One positive was the display of James Logan, the left-arm spinner who claimed 4-22 as Warwickshire wobbled late on in their chase, slipping from 166-1 to 215-7.
They were the 21-year-old’s first first-class wickets in his second game.
Gale said: “When you’re in that position, it’s easy to throw it away when they need 40 or 50 to win. But we showed a lot of character. The lads stuck at it right to the end.
“Logie showed what he can do, and they are real good signs for the future.”
On the experience of the week, York hosting the city’s first first-class game in the city since 1890, Gale added: “I think it’s been brilliant. Anyone who’s been here has seen a good game of cricket, finishing in the last session of the fourth day.
“They produced a magnificent pitch, and the ground’s looked outstanding. We’ve been well supported – there’s been a real festival atmosphere around the ground.
“I think everyone’s loved watching the cricket over the last four days. A lot of credit has to go to York.”
Yorkshire are next in action against champions Surrey at Scarborough, starting on Sunday.
