News Archive - June 2002

Anthony McGrath made his first half-century of the season as Yorkshire battled grimly to avoid the follow-on against fellow strugglers Sussex at
Headingley.
McGrath and Richard Blakey shared a vital sixth-wicket stand of 72 to spare Yorkshire's blushes after another batting collapse saw the Tykes reduced to 104-5.
It was McGrath's best knock of the season and he occupied the crease for more than three hours as Yorkshire dug in at the crease.
He finally fell victim to Billy Taylor in the last session of the day, but Gavin Hamilton joined Blakey and Yorkshire finally closed on 195-6 � 90 runs adrift of the follow-on target.
Earlier, the Tykes polished off the Sussex tail although a defiant last-wicket stand of 37 between Taylor and Mark Davis ensured the visitors a first innings score of 435.

Tim Ambrose staged a major rescue act for Sussex on the opening day of the championship clash at Headingley as Yorkshire's worries near the foot of the table continue to mount.
Ambrose steered Sussex from 70-4 to 375-6 at the close of play, hitting a magnificent unbeaten 146, and Yorkshire now have it all to do in the
fixture.
Fellow strugglers Sussex were only one point away from claiming a batting maximum and Yorkshire are now relying on their batsmen to drag them back
into the contest.
Yesterday the Tykes were punished for some ordinary bowling as Sussex recovered well with Ambrose and Matt Prior (83) leading the way.
Steve Kirby did bag a couple of wickets and Chris Silverwood produced a pearling yorker to account for Mike Yardy, but Yorkshire lost their way
after lunch and Sussex took control.
Sadly there was also the disappointing sight of Gavin Hamilton enduring more punishment on his return to the side.
The popular Scot conceded 17 runs in his only over and bowled five wides and a no-ball. Hamilton's loss off form is now a major worry for everyone at Headingley and one can only hope he rediscovers his radar soon.

by John Ward

With the football World Cup in full swing and England just having drawn with Nigeria, what interest would there be in a mundane county championship match?

Mundane? With Yorkshire playing? Very rarely. Today they take on Sussex at their rapidly developing Headingley Stadium, still looking for their first championship win of the season after beating all-comers during 2001.

Sussex, up from Division Two, are having their first tilt of the season at the champions and will be eager to take advantage of their current struggles. But a good team does not suddenly become bad overnight, or even over-season, and Yorkshire supporters will be hoping their team will now be ready to arise and be a major force in the land again.

They lack captain Darren Lehmann, temporarily with Australia, and instead Western Australian and former Durham professional Simon Katich plays his first match for Yorkshire. In a move that raised some eyebrows, Yorkshire brought back Gavin Hamilton from the second team to replace Richard Dawson, leaving themselves without a specialist spin bowler. Sussex still lack regular captain Chris Adams who has undergone knee surgery.

Yorkshire put Sussex in to bat on winning the toss. Coach Wayne Clark says he expects the pitch to do a little to assist the seamers, especially in the overcast conditions. At start of play the sky had clouded over after a bright start to the day, and there could be rain interruptions during the day.

The teams were as follows:

Yorkshire: Matthew Wood, Craig White, Michael Lumb, Simon Katich, Anthony McGrath, Victor Craven, *+Richard Blakey, Gavin Hamilton, Chris Silverwood, Ryan Sidebottom, Steven Kirby.

Sussex: Richard Montgomery, Murray Goodwin, Michael Yardy, Phil Cottey, Timothy Ambrose, Robin Martin-Jenkins, Matthew Prior, +Kevin Innes, Mark Davis, *James Kirtley, Billy Taylor.

Umpires: Mike Harris and David Shepherd. Scorers: John Potter (Yorkshire) and John Hartridge (Sussex).

The Norwich Union League Match v Nottinghamshire Outlaws on Sunday 9th June was unfortunately a wash out. The Phoenix who were hoping to make amends for the defeat by Worcestershire Royals last Tuesday had to settle for shared points, 2 apiece.
The next Norwich Union League Match is at Headingley on Sunday 16th June v Warwickshire Bears, starting at 1pm.