Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Brilliant Ben Cliff celebrates one of his eight wickets in Somerset’s first innings.
Yorkshire bowling coach Mick Lewis heaped praise on Ben Cliff after the seamer completed superb career best figures of 8-76 from 16.4 overs on day two against Somerset at Headingley.
Australian Lewis admitted the White Rose weren’t at their best collectively on day two but is backing them to respond on day three, which starts with the hosts 128-6 in their second innings and 139 in front.
George Hill, 50 not out, and Dom Bess – unbeaten on 27 – are at the crease in an unbroken 74 stand for the seventh wicket.
Cliff claimed five of his eight wickets today, including two in two balls as Somerset slipped to 86-8 in their first-innings reply to 212. Craig Overton and Migael Pretorius then shared a ninth-wicket 90 and hit half-centuries to drag their side to 201 all out.
Somerset are certainly the side better placed at present, but their advantage is far from clear-cut given the bowler-friendly nature of the Headingley pitch.
And Lewis believes the pre-game league leaders will have extra pressure on them tomorrow as they chase a maiden Rothesay County Championship title. Fellow challengers Warwickshire drew first blood during the final fortnight of 2026 by completing victory over Essex at Chelmsford today. They are now the clubhouse leaders to pinch a golfing analogy.
Lewis said: “The way we started off this morning was what was needed. Then we just had an hour there of poor execution, and they got away from us a little bit.
“They batted extremely well, but I think we could have executed a little bit better and done things differently as a bowling group.”
“I’m super, super happy for Cliffy. He bowled extremely well. He’s in the rooms now, smiling away, telling everyone about his wickets.
“Early season, he didn’t get much of an opportunity, but he was told quite early, ‘Look, we’re going to need him for the back end of the season’.
“Obviously, having Jhye Richardson early and Coady, Jack White and George Hill, you can’t fit them all in your attack.
“But I think the way Cliffy’s gone about this year, through the One-Day Cup especially, has been exceptional.
“Sometimes it just takes that first five-fer to believe.
“We’ve tweaked a few little things for him, and it’s probably taken him a while to adjust and get used to it. But to watch him flying in today and to bowl like he did was super pleasing for him.”
And on the state of the game, Lewis added: “We’ve still got four wickets in the shed, and as many runs we get tomorrow it’s important.
“The pressure’s going to be on them in the second innings.
“Obviously, they’re chasing their first title as well.
“With Warwickshire winning today, it puts a little bit more onus on them to really put in a good effort tomorrow.”
