Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Yorkshire coach Anthony McGrath is confident the county will preserve their Division One status.
Anthony McGrath reflected on an impressive Yorkshire performance and a satisfactory outcome as they sealed a 13-point draw against reigning champions Surrey at Scarborough today.
Yorkshire’s fourth stalemate in 10 matches this season was confirmed at 5.25pm, with them 120-5 in their second innings and leading by 100.
Surrey were bowled out with a lead of 20 and a minimum of 57 overs remaining in the day. They set a few nerves jangling amongst the home faithful by taking all five wickets with spin.
But with time running out, a visiting win was never realistic.
“I think the pitch was really good in terms of batting,” said head coach McGrath.
“Had the game gone four days, you saw there was a bit of turn and bounce at the end.
“It was a bit of an uncomfortable last couple of hours for us.
“But, against the best team in the country, which they’ve been for the last three or four years now, for us to perform like that with a lot of moving parts and things happening, we can be pretty proud of our week.”
Despite both sides topping 500 in the first innings in a game which saw almost a day wiped out by the weather across the first two, only Matthew Revis made a century with 110 not out.
“Rev is really growing as a cricketer in general,” said the coach.
“We know he was struggling with his body a little bit coming back from a back stress fracture over the winter, which is always tough for a young cricketer. But the way he’s batting now, he’s really moving on.
“He can play all kinds of different innings. He’s a big man and has the power. But he’s got that touch as well. But the most impressive thing for me is his composure at the crease.”
Dom Bess captained Yorkshire today in Jonny Bairstow’s absence and completed a season’s best seven-wicket haul.
“Yeah, brilliant,” said McGrath. “I think he’s bowled better the last few Championship games. His pace has been a lot better.
“He’s not got the wickets that he’s wanted. But, as I said a few times in interviews, if we get runs on the board, he’s a different bowler. Because we haven’t got first-innings runs, he’s had to play that holding role.
“You see when we get runs and the pitch gives him a little bit, he can spin the ball. If we can keep getting the runs, and it’s dry as it is for the last few games, he’ll come into his own.”
In terms of Bairstow’s availability for next week’s Championship clash with Sussex at Scarborough, starting Tuesday, McGrath said: “We haven’t had any news about the arrival of the baby, but we know Meg was in hospital today. We’ll have to see how that is for Tuesday.”
The coach did report good news on Imam Ul-Haq’s availability for that fixture, the Pakistani overseas batter set to debut.
He said: “I think with Imam, the visa’s all granted now. You have to double and triple-check these things, but he’ll be ok – I think – for Tuesday.”
Checks will be made on the fitness of George Hill (foot) and Ben Coad, who has picked up a hamstring niggle in this match.
Despite this sturdy result, Yorkshire have returned to second-bottom in Division One. They are seven points behind third-bottom Durham and eight behind Essex in seventh.
Even next week’s opponents Sussex in fifth, who are 22 points clear, are within striking distance.
“It’s very tight,” added McGrath. “There’ll be twists and turns.
“It’s obviously going to go down to the wire. But we’ve just got to keep playing as we are.
“We’ve played some good cricket. So, if we do that, I expect us to pick up a couple of wins along the way.”
