Jonny Tattersall had the best view in the house today as Dawid Malan scored a sensational maiden Yorkshire century, and he had no qualms about playing the support role.
As ‘leading actor’, Malan’s 145 not out, underpinning Yorkshire’s 280-4 on day one of their clash with fellow North Group pacesetters Derbyshire, was a masterpiece.
He drove particularly handsomely in hitting 21 fours and a six.
Tattersall’s unbeaten 64 – the pair shared 174 unbroken for the fifth wicket to advance from 106-4 in the early stages of the afternoon through to close – was definitely more understated but just as important after Derbyshire had won the toss and threatened on a couple of occasions to put the skids under their hosts.
“We played pretty well (himself and Malan) to keep us just four down all the way through to close,” he said.
“We’re really pleased with how it’s gone, and Dawid’s obviously shown his class there and gone through the gears.
“I played second fiddle and was trying to give him the strike and keep ticking over. He’s so easy to bat with, and it takes the pressure off me.
“We really grinded them into the dirt, and hopefully we can do the same tomorrow.”
