News Archive - July 2002

Yorkshire's championship nightmare continues as, in a tantalizing finish they finished just one wicket short of their first victory of the season. Former Yorkshireman Mark Robinson, one of the weakest batsmen on the circuit was the unlikely hero at the death as he survived 11 of the last 23 balls, along with Yorkshire's now regular nemesis Matt Prior who was unbeaten on 70.
With a little more haste in their batting and a little more accuracy in their bowling, Yorkshire would almost certainly have finished the job. But they did at least dominate the last two days after falling 137 runs behind on the first innings; on Thurday night few would have expected them to be pressing for victory in the final overs.
Andy Gray was Yorkshire's most successful player of the day, hitting a valuable 40 to set up the declaration and then taking three wickets with his off-breaks. There was disappointment for Michael Lumb who added only three runs to his overnight 89 before being caught at the wicket.
The declaration came half an hour before lunch setting Sussex 322 to win in a minimum of 71 overs.
Murray Goodwin (2) continued his lean spell for the hosts, but after lunch Montgomerie (10) and the aggressive Adams (23) gave the team a temporary scent of victory until Ryan Sidebottom knocked out Adams' middle stump and then Dawson ran out Montgomerie. This gave Yorkshire a scent of victory themselves.
Prior was the only batsman to look in control, as the others groped and struggled especially against the spin of Dawson. But every now and then a loose delivery would be put away relieving the pressure of the batsmen.
In the end, the turning point was the stand of 57 for the seventh wicket between Prior and Innes after tea. Prior stayed until the end and the fighting spirit of the tail just denied Yorkshire success. However their spirited play should encourage them as they take a break before their next championship match against fellow strugglers Somerset at Scarborough starting on July 10th.