Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. John Simpson loses his off-stump this afternoon at the hands of Joe Root.
Yorkshire’s last-gasp victory attempt against Sussex was thwarted in the main by Tom Clark’s measured 93 on day four at Headingley, the White Rose having to settle for their second draw in three Rothesay County Championship matches this season.
A haul of 13 points apiece was, in truth, a fair one following a contest which saw bat largely dominate ball.
Sussex were bowled out for 502 in their first innings before the White Rose replied with 511 all out.
Sussex then closed day three on 31-2 second time around, a lead of only 22. That gave Yorkshire a glimmer of hope that a first win of the season could be achieved. And when George Hill trapped nightwatchman Jack Carson lbw – 44-3 – that hope was raised.
But Clark and England Lions man James Coles took the sting out of the situation with a fourth-wicket partnership of 108, and Sussex went on to finish on 324-8 from 86 overs, a lead of 315. There was no play beyond 4.30pm due to bad light.
There was actually brief hope midway through the afternoon when Joe Root’s off-spin accounted for two of three wickets to fall for the addition of 10 runs – 234-7 and a lead of 225 with a little more than 45 overs remaining.
But that was – unfortunately – too little, too late.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Dom bess celebrates dismissing Sussex’s Jack Leaning, with help from a wonderful catch by George Hill.
Root impressed with 3-67 from 21 overs.
Yorkshire will be delighted with how they responded from conceding that aforementioned 502 in the first-innings. From lunchtime onwards on day two, they played much the better cricket.
Now, with Somerset at Taunton up next – from Friday, they will hope to push on and claim a first win of the season to go with the two draws and a defeat they already have from three rounds of matches.
Sussex, meanwhile, have now won two and drawn one.
Hill struck with only his second ball during the early stages of day four, a full ball trapping Carson lbw – 44-3.
But left-handed Clark, who hit 16 fours in 177 balls in all, and Coles batted nicely together on a slow pitch which favoured batters across all four days.
Coles counter-attacked. One on-driven boundary against Hill was particularly memorable.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Joe Root struck three times with his off-spin this afternoon.
Australian Test quick Jhye Richardson bowled Daniel Hughes with a peach of a delivery late on day three and bowled Coles just before lunch on day four as the batter advanced down the pitch towards the off-side and was undone looking to hit to leg, leaving Sussex at 152-4 just before lunch.
Clark had reached his fifty first off 108 balls and Coles shortly afterwards off 52.
Off-spin duo Root and Dom Bess twirled away together through the majority of the afternoon, and it reaped rewards in the form of three quick wickets, including the forming stopping Clark from reaching his century.
Clark’s departure – caught behind off Root – was followed by Jack Leaning brilliantly caught one-handed at slip by Hill off Bess, the catcher anticipating a reverse sweep.
Root then flattened first-innings centurion John Simpson’s off-stump for only six.
Injured Tom Price, batting with a runner following the sprained ankle he suffered fielding yesterday, then cut Root to backward point with the score on 252. Unfortunately, that was the end of the success. Sussex reached tea on 272-8, a lead of 263 with 32 overs.
Root and Bess went on to bowl with the new ball after tea, with Sussex captain Ollie Robinson (41) and Fynn Hudson-Prentice (27) sharing an unbroken ninth-wicket partnership of 72.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com Fin Bean appeals successfully for Tom Clark caught behind for 93 against Joe Root. Bean enjoyed a highly impressive match with the gloves and bat.
