Ali Maiden believes Yorkshire being bowled out for 134 during a weather shortened day one against Essex is far from a hammer blow to their chances of victory in the ongoing LV= Insurance County Championship at Headingley.
Assistant coach Maiden watched the county struggle against the accuracy and skill of England Lions seamer Sam Cook, who took three wickets, including his 200th first-class wicket.
Swing and seam was evident on a slow and used pitch.
“We think we’re right in the game,” said Maiden. “Tomorrow, whatever the overhead conditions are like, that pitch has been undercover for a long time with lots of rain around.
“In the morning, we’re going to come and try to take a few wickets and put them under pressure.
“If the sun comes out, that pitch has still been under cover a lot over the last two days. There’s still a lot of moisture around. It’s not going to be 25 degrees and baking hot, so it will still do plenty in the morning.
“As long as we put the ball in the right areas, we’ll be in the game.”
Maiden spoke of a tough day’s batting, which started with Yorkshire opting to rest Dom Bess and play Jack Shutt as well as swapping all-rounders Matthew Revis for Matthew Waite in their team.
“At the start of the day, there was potentially some rain around and overhead conditions weren’t great. And it was hard work,” he said.
“It was hard work throughout the day against a bit of swing and seam.
“It wasn’t excessive, but it did a bit all day. It was just hard going.
“George Hill played really nicely. He got into some good positions forwards and back and moved his feet. But he just got a ball which seamed a bit. There was always a ball with your name on it.”
