We continue our Tatts’ Magic Moments series, Jonny Tattersall reflecting on the key moments in Yorkshire’s promotion-winning campaign in the Vitality County Championship.
Here, he looks back on James Wharton’s superb contributions against Derbyshire at Chesterfield and Northamptonshire at Headingley.
Picture by John Heald. Jonny Tattersall celebrates his century against Derbyshire at Chesterfield.
Jonny Tattersall has hailed James Wharton’s contributions to Yorkshire’s Vitality County Championship promotion campaign after the up and coming batter hit two big and crucial centuries to advance the county’s cause.
Wharton, 23, was Yorkshire’s second leading run-scorer in Division Two with 833 runs from nine matches, at an average of 64.07. He trailed only opener Adam Lyth, who topped 1,000 runs.
The Huddersfield-born batter scored his maiden first-team century in the 2023 Vitality Blast, against Worcestershire at Headingley – a blistering 111 not out.
But the summer just gone was undoubtedly the one in which he broke through against the red ball, him adding two fifties to scores of 188 and 285.
The 285 etched his name into the record books, posted during the final round draw against Northamptonshire at Headingley to help seal promotion.
It was the fifth highest individual first-class score ever at Headingley, amongst a number of other notable records.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. James Wharton celebrates his century against Northamptonshire at Headingley in September.
However, his 188 came against Derbyshire at Chesterfield at the start of July and came in the early stages of Yorkshire’s unbeaten second half of the season, them winning five of seven games.
Wharton batted at number three in both innings.
Yorkshire beat Derbyshire by an innings and 204 runs inside three days, securing their second win of the season having beaten Gloucestershire at Scarborough the previous week.
It was the final Championship game before the second half of the T20 Blast group stage and then the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.
Yorkshire bowled the hosts out for 76 during the first morning.
Vishwa Fernando was superb with 5-30 from 10 overs, as was Jordan Thompson with 4-31 from 10.4.
Picture by John Heald. Ben Coad celebrates one of his six second-innings wickets against Derbyshire at Chesterfield.
The visitors responded with 451-9 declared, also including a fine 107 from Tattersall. He and Wharton shared 241 for the sixth wicket from 165-5 before Ben Coad and Fernando wrecked Derbyshire’s second innings.
Coad excelled with 6-30 from 15 overs in 171 all out, while Sri Lanka left-arm quick Fernando added 4-58 from 9.5 and signed off from a memorable three-game overseas stint with 17 wickets to his name.
“Wharts played two magnificent innings,” said wicketkeeper-batter Tattersall.
“The one in the final game speaks for itself. To bat for that length was a remarkable effort.
“The one he played against Derbyshire at Chesterfield was really impressive because the pitch wasn’t the easiest, and the game was in the balance.
“We were clearly in front after bowling them out for 76 on that first morning – Vishwa and Tommo were exceptional with the ball after they’d elected to bat.
Picture by John Heald. James Wharton and Jonny Tattersall acknowledge their century partnership at Chesterfield.
“We were 160-odd for five and may not have got as many as we’d have wanted.
“But myself and Wharts put on a big partnership to take the game away from them.
“We had to face a lot of spin, particularly on day two, and he took it down.
“He obviously scored that T20 century last year, and now he’s done it in the Championship. Hopefully it gives him a lot of confidence moving forwards because he was a huge part of our success this year with what he did.
