Duanne Olivier believes Yorkshire can overcome a 91-run deficit against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge to secure a second successive Bob Willis Trophy victory over the next two days.
Fast bowler Olivier claimed 2-88 from 19 overs as Notts, replying to 264, advanced from 13-1 at the start of two to reach close on 355 all out.
A nip and tuck day swung in Notts’ direction when wicketkeeper Tom Moores completed a brilliant career best 106, batting through the entire evening session.
The England Lions left-hander started watchfully and then mixed invention with power as he ran out of partners at the end.
Olivier, Steve Patterson and Dawid Malan claimed two wickets apiece, while debutant seamer Dom Leech also struck eleven balls into his first-team debut to get Haseeb Hameed caught at second slip.
The 19-year-old finished with 1-42 from 10 overs on a used pitch offering turn and signs of uneven bounce.
But it is a pitch, says Olivier, which largely remains good for batting.
“When the ball got softer, the wicket played better,” said the South African.
“I must give credit to Tom Moores, he played very well.
“We bowled well in partnerships, although we let it slip a bit before lunch. At the end the momentum was with them and we let it slip again.
“But, if we get through the new ball tomorrow, the batsmen can score big runs.
“I know we’re 90 behind, but I still feel we have a good chance to win this game. It’s just about applying themselves at the crease.
“It’s still a good wicket. There was the odd one which bounced a bit more or stayed low, but you just need to take that out of your mind and play it ball by ball.
“The way Mullaney batted, Patel and Moores, they applied themselves well.”
Olivier claimed the wicket of Ben Duckett amidst a miserly and testing opening spell at the start of play before later getting Peter Trego.
This is his first game of the summer after returning to England from lockdown in South Africa and having had to then contend with a week in quarantine.
“I feel good, although my body will probably be quite stiff in the morning with it being my first game,” he said.
“I felt the two overs before lunch were poor from my side, but I came back strongly. At the end, Moores played well and got a way a bit, but I felt in good rhythm.”
On the performance and potential of Leech, the former Test quick added: “I’m very happy for him.
“The two intra-squad games we played, he impressed me a lot.
“I saw him first when I came over in February and we worked indoors. There’s something about him.
“He has good skill, he swings the ball and has good pace. He will only get stronger the older he gets and more experience will come the more he plays.
“I think he bowled really well and can only get better.”