Lyth begins strongly in Yorkshire’s long quest for parity

Yorkshire 127 for 1 (Lyth 80*) trail Somerset 562 for 7 dec (Hildreth 166, Trescothick 97, Trego 94, Rogers 51, Allenby 51, Rashid 4-160) by 435 runsScorecard

To suggest that Adam Lyth and Alex Lees were facing a minor crisis when they opened Yorkshire’s innings on a placid Taunton pitch would be a slight exaggeration. Yorkshire, after all, entered this round of matches one point ahead at the top of Division One as they seek to become the first team to win a hat-trick of titles since they achieved just that 48 years ago. Most would settle for that.

Nevertheless, it felt like a telling moment. Yorkshire, to general agreement, have yet to hit their straps this season, and Joe Root and, in particular, Jonny Bairstow, last season’s perpetual batting get-out clause, are now occupied with England. Somerset’s 562 for 7 conveyed the feeling that there were runs to be had, but it was not a time for fripperies.

Yorkshire’s prime concern was to avoid the follow-on figure of 413, and Lyth’s unbeaten 80 fulfilled their needs as they closed solidly on 127 for 1, but at the current rate of progress of 2.50 an over, security would not be achieved until the final morning. It would be difficult to conjure up something from that.

Unless Somerset prosper, it is hard to see how this match is going anywhere other than the draw column which is where most matches have ended up this season. Flatter pitches have not been without a certain amount of spectator pain.

The first half of the day was pleasing fare nonetheless – the completion of the serenest of hundreds by James Hildreth – 166 from 237 balls – and another excellent ninetysomething from Peter Trego – the third of the innings. …

continue reading in source www.espncricinfo.com

Related Posts

• 
  Anderson becomes No. 1 Test bowler
• 
  Vice-captaincy will not affect my batting – Rahane
• 
  Shaminda Eranga reported for suspect action