Picture by John Clifton/SWPix.com. Matthew Revis celebrates his day-three century against Surrey.
Matthew Revis spoke of an “extra special” century after helping Yorkshire post 500 plus in their first innings against reigning champions Surrey at Scarborough.
The emerging all-rounder played the feature innings in the White Rose’s first-innings 517-6 declared just before lunch on day three, to which Surrey responded to with 338-4.
So far in this high-scoring, weather-affected Rothesay County Championship match, nine players have reached 50 but only Revis has gone on to convert into a century.
Surrey’s Ryan Patel, 86 not out, may join him tomorrow morning.
Revis, aged 23, has now scored back-to-back Championship centuries after his brilliant 150 in victory over Essex at York at the start of the month. Before that, in the draw against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, he posted an unbeaten 93.
It’s worthy of note that in scoring a hundred here and that 90-odd at Notts, he has enjoyed success against two teams leading Division One at the time.
Revis said: “I’m very happy. Obviously at Scarborough, as well, it’s always extra special.
“Bluey (Jonny Bairstow) said at the start of the week about someone getting on one or both of the honours boards here, so I’m really happy to have been able to do it.
“It’s a good pitch. It always is here at Scarborough. The Kookaburra ball has obviously swayed it more towards the batters. Once the shine’s off the ball, it’s tough to beat the bat and make inroads.
“I thought Bessy bowled really well throughout the whole day to stem the flow a little bit. It helped us keep the quicks rolling at the other end.
“You saw at the end, Coady beat the bat a few times, so hopefully we can nip a few out in the morning with a decent-sized lead and then put some pressure on them towards the end of the day.”
Revis started the day on 34 alongside Will Sutherland on six.
Yorkshire were 376-5 and searching for quick runs for a declaration and to get bowling as quickly as possible in order to pressurise Surrey. It was a situation which played into Revis’s hands.
He added: “Myself and Chief (Sutherland) spoke with Mags and Jonny at the start of the day, and we said that we’d bat pretty sensibly for eight overs.
“Obviously, Chief then got out trying to push the game on, which is completely fair.
“Then, myself and Bessy naturally batted positively.
“All of a sudden, the field spread and a message came out about potentially pulling out with 85 overs left in the day. We were bang on with that.
“I was on about 60 then, so I thought, ‘I’ve got to get a move on if I want to get near a hundred’.
“That suited me quite well, and I took a chance on the shorter side. Thankfully it came off.”
