Picture by John Mallett/Leicestershire CCC. Dan Moriarty celebrates his first senior fifty
Yorkshire slipped to an innings and 39-run defeat against Leicestershire during the third afternoon at the Uptonsteel County Ground, Grace Road.
The White Rose started day three under significant pressure, at 32-2 in their second innings – trailing by 236.
The loss of three wickets before lunch, including two in an over, significantly undermined their chances of a revival, and they were later bowled out for 229.
Yorkshire’s third defeat in eight games this season saw them claim only two points, and it came on the back of an encouraging last two matches; the victory over Surrey at Headingley last month and last weekend’s draw against Warwickshire at Scarborough, which saw them play much the better cricket.
Disappointingly, the same can’t be said for the last three days against the top-flight’s bottom side, who ended a run of four straight defeats to win for the first time in 2026.
They were better in all facets of the game from start to finish on a pitch which was largely bowler-friendly. This was their first Division One victory since September 2003. They claimed 23 points.
Only one Yorkshire batter posted a half-century in both innings – James Wharton in the first innings and Dan Moriarty in the second.
Wharton contributed 33 in the second innings before Moriarty top-scored with an eye-catching 51 not out off 84 balls, his career best score in all first-team cricket. Dom Bess also played nicely for 40.
Leicestershire’s cause was advanced by two relentless bowling displays and a pair of centuries from England and New Zealand internationals Rehan Ahmed and Nick Kelly.
Yorkshire started this weekend’s matches seventh in the Division One table, and they will have to wait until tomorrow evening to find out exactly where they sit. But it could be that all of the three teams below them win their matches. Obviously Leicestershire have, but Glamorgan and Hampshire are chasing victories in their respective matches against Surrey and Sussex.
Yorkshire reached lunch today at 121-6, a deficit of 147, with Dom Bess unbeaten on 21 and George Hill 20.
They were hurt by the early loss of Sam Whiteman, who was caught behind for nine – one-handed going to his right by Ben Cox – off an inside-edge against Josh Davey’s seam.
But the writing was somewhat on the wall when Matthew Revis and captain Jonny Bairstow fell in the space of four balls to strapping seamer Alex Green as the score fell to 70-5 in the 31st.
Revis was caught behind driving for 18 and Bairstow bowled by one which nipped back.
Wharton then fell bowled off his pad by New Zealand left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel – 96-6 in the 38th over. Former Yorkshire overseas Patel even appealed for lbw, which the umpire gave, before both realised it had bowled Wharton.
Patel struck again with the first ball after lunch when he trapped George Hill lbw for 20.
Further damage was done when an attacking Hassan Ali miscued Ben Green to mid-on, leaving Yorkshire at 134-8.
Bess played nicely in what proved to be a consolatory effort, but he was impressively caught at slip by Rishi Patel as he tried to cut Ajaz Patel, leaving the score at 162-9.
Moriarty also played an eye-catching innings, with one lofted drive for four over extra cover against Patel particularly memorable.
Jack White also attacked and lofted Patel down the ground as the pair shared Yorkshire’s highest partnership of the fixture, 67.
The win was wrapped up for Leicestershire when Alex Green bowled White for 21.
Green, Davey and Patel all finished with three wickets.
