Yorkshire’s batting coach John Sadler remains hopeful that the county can still make their opening week trip to the South Coast a successful one despite being behind the eight-ball at the halfway stage of their Rothesay County Championship clash with Hampshire.
Heading into day three at the Utilita Bowl tomorrow, Yorkshire lead by only 61 in their second innings at 189-6. Opener Adam Lyth is unbeaten on 57 with injured nightwatchman Ben Cliff for company on 1.
Hampshire strengthened their grip on this Division One contest today, courtesy of three late wickets following a fourth-wicket 105 partnership between Lyth and captain Jonny Bairstow, who contributed 56.
Yorkshire took the lead in the evening with those two at the crease, and at that stage victory looked realistic.
Unfortunately, Bairstow, George Hill and Will Luxton were removed by pacers Sonny Baker and Brad Wheal, stiffening Yorkshire’s task considerably.
Sadler, though, remains optimistic that a turnaround can be achieved.
He said: “We’re 60 in front at the minute, so we need to make sure that we get quite a few more than that.
“It’s time as well. The longer that we’re out there, the more runs will keep accumulating.
“I’m reluctant to put a number on it, but we just want as many runs as possible.
“We’d like one more good partnership. We still have Bessy to come, who is a proper batter. If Lythy can get in and do what he’s done again, you never know.”
Since being bowled out for 121 shortly after lunch yesterday, Yorkshire have played some good cricket, starting with limiting Hampshire to a 249-reply.
The hosts started the day on 164-5, with George Hill and Jack White finishing with three wickets apiece.
“We’d have settled for that this morning, taking those five wickets and getting us right back in the game,” continued Sadler.
“We won last night’s session as well, so we won two sessions on the bounce.
“Then, obviously it was a tough start with the bat – a couple of early wickets can happen to anybody. But Mala played beautifully – he’s played a different game to everyone else – and then the way Jonny and Lythy played was phenomenal.
“Lythy, it wasn’t his most fluent innings, but the power of the mind and the way he stuck at it, credit to him.
“It’s not the easiest of wickets. There’s no pace in it, and it’s not the easiest to score on.
“The way he concentrated, stuck to his plans and soaked up pressure, I’ve nothing but admiration for the way he batted. That’s why he played Test Cricket and is a 1,000 runs a year man at his ripe old age. I thought he played magnificently.”
And on Bairstow in his first game in charge, Sadler said:
“Jonny’s been a real leader. He’s grabbed hold of the guys and has led from the front.
“There’s nobody better in world cricket. He’s proved it numerous times right at the top of the game – stick your chest out, take it on and be positive. That’s how he lives and breathes, and I know the lads are going to follow him.
“He’s been brilliant so far. I thought he captained well also. If Jonny gets into full flow, there’s nobody better to watch.”
Meanwhile, Yorkshire ended the day with injured fast bowler Cliff at the crease as nightwatchman. Cliff only bowled four overs in the first innings before leaving the field with a back/side issue which continues to be assessed. Sadler added that the youngster was “sore”.
