Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Yorkshire batting coach John Sadler spoke after day two this evening.
John Sadler did not hide from the disappointment of Yorkshire’s day-two display at Edgbaston, the county’s batting coach admitting: “It’s a poor day, to put it quite bluntly.”
Yorkshire arrived at the ground this morning in chipper mood. They were 110-4 in their first-innings reply to Warwickshire’s 147 all out.
However, in the opening 90 minutes of play, they were bowled out for 152 before the Bears closed on 267-3 in their second innings, with Rob Yates contributing 81 and Dan Mousley 70. The hosts lead by 262 in conditions which remain helpful for the bowlers.
As you will read from Sadler, conditions have eased for the batters, but there remains enough on offer to keep the bowlers very interested.
“We turned up this morning full of confidence, full of energy, full of belief, but we had a poor hour with the bat, really,” said Sadler. “Then, once we got the ball in our hand, we had a poor hour with the ball.
“I think we bowled well in stages.
“We started pretty well and finished that last session pretty well. We got some control back, but the damage was done in between.
“Fair play to them, they played well. They had momentum from the first innings, knocking us over pretty quickly this morning
“The sun’s been out all day, drying the pitch a little bit. It’s also had three heavy rollers in a very short space of time because obviously we didn’t bat long.
“It’s taken a little bit of life out of the pitch. So I think there’s still a little bit in there, but it’s certainly not doing as much as it was yesterday or first thing this morning.”
Harry Brook was one of the early-morning wickets as Yorkshire lost their last six for the addition of only 15 runs, from 137-4 to 152 all out. The England star posted 40, the joint best score alongside James Wharton.
Oliver Hannon-Dalby claimed four wickets for Warwickshire.
Jack White stood out for Yorkshire with the ball, returning 1-14 from 11 overs.
“Yeah, he’s bowled very nicely,” said Sadler.
“He probably could have done with a bit more of a rest to be honest from yesterday’s bowling to today’s. But, look, all he does, whatever the state of the game, whatever the state of the ball or the pitch, he turns around, runs in and hits his length. He gives us good control and he creates chances. He’s done well for us this year.”
When Yorkshire return tomorrow to start day three, they could really do with a session like Warwickshire had with the ball this morning.
“Yeah, we do really need that to get back in the game,” added Sadler. “It has flattened out. But 260 or whatever they are in front now, it’s going to be a tough ask.
“Still, we came back at Somerset, played some incredible cricket and won. There’s no reason why we can’t go and do that again.
“The belief is always there. There’s no doubt on that.
“We’ve got some high-class batters in there, and they’ve all shown signs at different stages. But, a bit like the ball, we’ve not strung it together yet session after session after session.”
