Four-wicket seamer George Hill says Yorkshire are happy with their early work at Hove after edging a 17-wicket opening day against Division Two pacesetters Sussex.
Hill led the way with 4-22 from 10 overs as Sussex, who lost an important toss, were bowled out for 150 inside 45 overs. Ben Coad also impressed with three wickets.
But the wickets continued to fall, with Yorkshire closing on 176-7, including a fine 67 from Joe Root.
Sussex are expecting the pitch to improve, though Yorkshire’s lead of 26 and counting already feels significant. Anything upwards of 50 will pile the pressure on the hosts.
Hill said of the day: “It ebbed and flowed a bit, didn’t it.
“We know that in the first half hour or so, we didn’t get it right (Sussex 42-0 after six overs). But I felt like the body language didn’t drop at all through that. We got around each other and managed to claw it back.
“We think it’s a good day, and we would definitely have taken that when we rocked up this morning.”
Hill continued: “It’s definitely not a snake-pit (the pitch), but one the bowlers have enjoyed bowling on.
“If the bad ball’s there, you can still put it away quite comfortably. But if you put it in the right areas, there’s enough there. When it’s nipped, it’s done it quickly. I actually think it quickened up a bit after lunch.”
Hill starred having returned to the side having been left out of the team which drew to Glamorgan at Headingley the week before last.
“I’m happy,” he said. “I felt the games I played before, I wasn’t particularly happy with how I bowled. I was a bit floaty.
“But around the game I got left out of and the week off, I’ve worked hard on running in a bit harder and bowling it a bit quicker. It seemed to work today.”
While the bowlers were excellent, so too were Yorkshire’s catchers. Eight Sussex wickets fell to catches behind the wicket. Sussex also caught well later in the day.
Hill added: “Our slip cordon’s been unreal, and I’ve quite rightly been booted out of it!
“Beany, Lythy and Rooty are unbelievable slippers, and Coady just keeps delivering for us with the ball.
“The bloke’s a joke. He just keeps coming out and performing game after game. It’s ridiculous what he does.”
