Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. James Wharton and Will Luxton impressed at North Marine Road today as Yorkshire started superbly.
Yorkshire could hardly have asked for a better start to their Rothesay County Championship clash with leaders Surrey at Scarborough, with Fin Bean, Will Luxton and James Wharton all contributing half-centuries to a commanding 282-4 from 86 overs.
Bean and Adam Lyth united with success once again at North Marine Road to set the scene during a weather-affected opening day which was only briefly affected by the rain and bad light.
Just over 12 months ago, on day one against Gloucestershire here, Bean and Lyth both hit centuries and shared a partnership of 307 to set up a victory. It was a win which helped the White Rose seal promotion back to Division One of the Championship.
Today, in Scarborough, and now facing the reigning champions and current top-flight leaders, Bean and Lyth were at it again, sharing 107 inside 33 overs either side of lunch,
Of course, it was nowhere near a triple century stand. But their task was greater against a Surrey side chasing a fourth successive title.
And the White Rose dressing room will have been delighted to make a settled start to a game which has come with a few headaches in the build-up.
Bean led the way with 57 off 106 balls balls, with 11 fours. Lyth, meanwhile, hit eight in his 47 off 88.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Fin Bean was one of three half-centurions for Yorkshire today.
Later on, either side of tea, Luxton and Wharton usurped the pair’s work and shared a third-wicket 149. Luxton made a career best 71 off 118 balls and Wharton advanced to 78 off 166.
Bean was dropped on three by Dom Sibley at first slip off Matthew Fisher’s bowling after Jonny Bairstow had won the toss. He went on to twice drive boundaries off Jamie Overton in one over and also played nicely off his legs.
On the ground where he learnt his trade, Lyth drove two boundaries in the contest’s opening over from Dan Worrall.
Yorkshire had a number of selection issues to deal with heading into this 10th round fixture, which sees them bid for win number three of the season.
Captain Bairstow has taken his place in the eleven despite his partner being due to give birth. Should Bairstow have to dash off from Scarborough, he could only be replaced by a substitute fielder.
New overseas batting signing Imam-Ul-Haq is here but unfortunately can’t play due to visa issues. Imam was at the ground today, and the plan is that he will line up to debut here against Sussex, starting next Tuesday.
Luxton wouldn’t have played but for Imam’s issues. He had been selected in the Professional County Clubs Select XI squad for their 50-over matches with Pakistan A before being recalled by Yorkshire.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Imam-Ul-Haq signs an autograph for a young fan.
George Hill also missed out having not recovered fully from a recent foot injury.
Surrey weren’t at their best today. The early Sibley dropped catch was a bit of s tone-setter.
Their bowlers weren’t able to threaten consistently enough on a pitch which looked to be a spongy. They didn’t quite get their lengths right.
But the visitors did improve briefly after lunch, which had come 15 minutes early because of rain.
And it was ironic that their wickets came when they did get it right on length.
New-ball seamer Worrall, who finished with 3-49 from 16 overs, struck twice in three balls in the 33rd over, leaving Yorkshire at 108-2.
First, he had Lyth caught at first slip feeling for a delivery not quite there to drive. Then, an accurate short ball got Bean in a tangle and, in two minds as to whether to play or abort an attempted pull, he could only bunt a low catch to wide mid-on.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. The scene at North Marine Road today.
Thankfully, Luxton and Wharton were able to steady the ship and advance.
Luxton is coming off a breakthrough Vitality Blast campaign and went on to post only his second first-class fifty in his 10th game. He was strong on the drive and elegant off his legs.
Luxton went to 50 first, off 68 balls, and Wharton followed off 111. Both came in the latter stages of an afternoon which ended with Yorkshire at 211-2.
Wharton had lofted the off-spin of Will Jacks for six en-route to his fifty.
After tea, Luxton whipped Jamie Overton’s pace off his legs, with the White Rose now eyeing a first batting bonus point for reaching 250.
While new-ball seamer Worrall claimed three of the four wickets to fall, Surrey’s debutant Indian left-arm spinner Sai Kishore was their most economical bowler with 0-37 from 19 overs.
Unfortunately for Luxton, he was bowled by Jacks on the sweep, leaving Yorkshire 257-3 after 77 overs.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Captains Jonny Bairstow and Rory Burns at the toss.
And when Wharton edged behind against Worrall with the new ball, at 276-4 in the 83rd, the hosts had to be wary of undoing their early good work with a flurry of late wickets.
But bad light prevented any play beyond 5.20pm, and Bairstow will begin day two on 19 alongside Matthew Revis, who is yet to score.
