Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Ben Coad bemoans a near miss against Rishi Patel today.
Yorkshire were frustrated by Leicestershire openers Rishi Patel and Sheridon Gumbs during a rain-affected day three at Scarborough, which saw only 31.5 overs bowled.
The White Rose went wicketless from midday to just before 3pm, with a wet outfield delaying us and then rain disrupting us and eventually causing an abandonment.
Leicestershire advanced from 12-0 in their first-innings reply to 263 all out, ending the day on 84-0. Given the amount of time lost across all three days of this Rothesay County Championship fixture – more than 140 overs – it would be a major surprise if it doesn’t finish drawn tomorrow evening.
In fairness to Patel and Gumbs – 41 and 39 not out respectively – they played very nicely in determined fashion.
There were plenty of oohs and arghs from the Yorkshire bowlers and fielders, as you would expect given the conditions. But the pair survived and played nicely and in determined fashion under an overcast sky.
While there were a couple of eye-catching shots, they let the ball come to them and deflected and worked their runs to the tune of 43 at lunch.
For much of the shortened afternoon, play took place in light rain, which then got heavier, forcing umpires Graham Lloyd and Ian Blackwell to take the players off midway through the 36th over of the Leicestershire first innings.
There was an injury concern for Yorkshire, with talismanic all-rounder George Hill leaving the field not long before play was halted. He had bowled two balls of his sixth over at that point.
Umpires Ian Blackwell and Graham Lloyd abandoned the day at 4.35pm.
Yorkshire assistant coach John Sadler said
“George (Hill) is ok. It’s never a good sign, is it, to see someone hobble off, but we think he’s alright. We don’t think it’s anything too drastic, just a bit of pain in his knee.
“They (Leicestershire openers) played nicely and shaped up really well.
“I don’t think we were quite at our best with the ball.
“Yes, it looks like bowler-friendly conditions from overhead, but I do think the outfield was quite soggy. Speaking to a couple of the bowlers, it was quite heavy underfoot, so they were struggling to get the momentum approaching the crease.
“We still fancy that if we can nip a couple out and put them under a bit of pressure, then you never know. But the more time that’s taken out of the game, then you’d have to say a draw is most likely. But there’s still some important bonus points on offer.”
