By Richard Watts
January 29 2007

With the 2007 season fast approaching we thought it would be good to look back at Yorkshire's previous triumphs. In the first of a series of articles we reflect on the 2001 season. A year where Yorkshire lifted the biggest prize of all for the first time in 33 years. 2001 saw Yorkshire win their First County Championship since 1968 as they improved on third place in 2000.

The season started against Kent at Canterbury on 25 April. Matthew Fleming won the toss and decided to bat. The home side progressed to 90 for 3 before Chris Silverwood took over proceedings. He took four of the last six wickets to finish with 5-45 from 18.1 overs as Kent were dismissed for 142. Michael Vaughan’s 71 was the mainstay of Yorkshire’s reply and with Darren Lehmann weighing in with 68 Yorkshire made 285. Kent lost four wickets in wiping out the deficit and a fifth went when they were only one run in front as Silverwood and Ryan Sidebottom made good use of the new ball. Yorkshire were held up by Robert Key (98) and Ed Smith (103 not out) but Kent were eventually bowled out for 318. Silverwood 3-96 and Sidebottom 4-67 were the mainstays of the Yorkshire attack. As Yorkshire chased victory Saggers caused early problems but Yorkshire got home by four wickets with Lehmann making 41 (40 balls) and Gary Fellows 43 not out (50 balls).

Headingley was the venue for the visit of Somerset at the beginning of May. Byas won the toss and inserted the visitors. Honours were even as Somerset were bowled out for 257 but a century stand between Lathwell and Turner stopped Yorkshire taking command, Silverwood 3-57 the pick of the bowlers. Hopes of Yorkshire gaining a lead were dashed by a fine piece of bowling by Andy Caddick 5-81, Vaughan 79 and Fellows 63 were the only batsman to make significant contributions as Yorkshire fell 26 runs behind. The rest of the day belonged to Somerset who took a decisive advantage in the game finishing on 101 for 1 at the close of the second day. On the third day Somerset took complete command, half centuries from Holloway, Cox and Burns saw them rattle up 327 for 8, with only Michael Vaughan’s off breaks causing problems for the batsmen (4-47). As Caddick continued to dominate, his 5 for 92 helping to skittle Yorkshire for 192 and a 161 run defeat. Only Darren Lehmann’s 77 from 78 balls holding up the visitors pace attack.

The game at Chelmsford against Essex was a rain affected draw. Yorkshire recovered from 164 for 6 and 238 for 7 to score 403 due to the efforts of James Middlebrook (84 from 141 balls) and Chris Silverwood (70 from 74 balls), they put on 126 for the eighth wicket. Middlebrook was in the wickets (3-49) as Essex were bowled out for 249 in their only innings. Gary Fellows took 3-23.

Yorkshire returned to Headingley to play host to Northamptonshire. A Michael Vaughan 133 (18 fours and a six) was the cornerstone of Yorkshire’s 374, Michael Lumb made 50 and Richard Blakey was 42 not out. Darren Cousins took 8-102 for Northants. When they batted Chris Silverwood (5-58) was the pick of the bowlers as they were sent back for 195. Second time round Northants made 255, Mal Loye reaching 50, Matthew Hoggard was seen at his best with 5-82. Yorkshire knocked off the 77 required for the loss of six wickets.

Silverwood’s purple patch continue when Yorkshire visited Glamorgan at Swansea. After winning the toss Yorkshire made 280, Lehmann (75) and Byas (63) sharing a century partnership. When Glamorgan batted a fearsome spell of quick bowling by Silverwood 9-5-20-5 saw them routed for 104. Yorkshire then made 277 for 7. David Byas the principle run scorer with 105 not out from 162 balls. Bowled out for 125 Glamorgan were beaten by 328 runs. More excellent seam bowling from Yorkshire, Silverwood was wicket less this time but Sidebottom took 4-49 and Gavin Hamilton had the excellent analysis of 9-3-27-5.

Against Kent at Headingley David Byas won the toss and inserted the opposition who were sent back for 212. Matthew Hoggard did most of the damage taking 4-48, Chris Silverwood was amongst the wickets again with 3-38 as Kent collapsed from 128 for 2. An opening partnership of 152 (Matthew Wood 90, Scott Richardson 69) set up a Yorkshire reply of 413 a total enhanced by Lehmann’s 90 and Blakey’s 59. Kent did marginally better second time round 250 but they were always in trouble from the quick bowling of Steve Kirby 20-4-50-7 (four lbw, 2 bowled and one caught behind). Richardson’s 29 not out steered Yorkshire to 53 for 1 and a nine wicket win.

The game against Somerset at Bath was a high scoring draw. Somerset scored 553 for 5, Yorkshire replied with 589 for 5. Another substantial first wicket stand between Richardson (68) and Wood (124) who put on 179. Darren Lehmann was seen at his best 187 not out from 267 balls.

June ended with a home game against Leicestershire. Wood, Lumb and Lehmann rattled up centuries in Yorkshire’s 500. After that the Steve Kirby fast bowling show took over. Leicestershire were routed for 174, Kirby 15-4-46-6 and 99, Kirby 9-1-26-6 match figures of 12 for 72 for the fiery pace man. All his victims were either bowled, lbw or caught behind the wicket.

Four catches for Richard Blakey and three for David Byas as Northamptonshire were dismissed for 253 at Northampton. Kirby again the pick of the bowlers 3-34. When Yorkshire batted David Byas’ fine match continued as he made 110 with 15 fours as Yorkshire made 309. Northants then secured a draw as Hussy held up Yorkshire making 122 as they totalled 298.

A vital Roses match followed at Headingley. John Crawley won the toss and he was the mainstay of a consistent batting effort by Lancashire. He made 73, well supported by Scuderi 56, Hegg 76 and Schofield 55. In a rare Yorkshire appearance Darren Gough took 4-65 and there was another three wickets for Steve Kirby. Darren Lehmann then produced one of his greatest Yorkshire innings. 252 from 288 balls with 35 fours and a six as Yorkshire helped notch up a massive 531, an innings that was given late impetus by Darren Gough who made a spectacular 96 from 101 balls with 14 fours and a six, Gough shared a last wicket stand of 83 with Steve Kirby. Trailing by 158 it was again John Crawley who held up Yorkshire. He made 113 out of the Lancastrian’s 314. Needing 158 to win Yorkshire were steered home by the in form Matthew Wood who followed his first innings 86 with 51 as Yorkshire won by seven wickets.

Surrey visited Headingley for a rain-effected game at the beginning of August. Despite Kirby’s 4-90 Surrey made 278 which was a good score on a difficult pitch. With Ed Giddins in fine form (4-50) Yorkshire struggled in reply, Darren Lehmann’s 52 was the only innings of note as Yorkshire responded with 204. With the pitch improving Surrey made 281 second time round. They were kept in check by an excellent spell by Richard Dawson who took 6 for 98 from 36 overs. Yorkshire then comfortably held out for a draw thanks to the inform Wood and Lehmann putting on 190. Lehmann 102 not out (187 balls, 13 fours) and Wood 85 not out (277 balls, 9 fours) as Yorkshire made 244 for 2.

Yorkshire dominated the First day of the Roses match at Old Trafford as Craig White (186, 217 balls, 24 fours and 3 sixes) and Matthew Wood (115, 225 balls, 11 fours) put on 309 for the first wicket. Yorkshire finished the day on 358 for 2. Lancashire fought back next day with left armer Gary Keedy taking four wickets as Yorkshire declared on 467 for 9. Having missed out with the bat Darren Lehmann was the pick of the bowlers, his left arm spin bringing him 3-13 as Lancashire were dismissed for 242. Byas enforced the follow on and despite Crawley’s 74 the Red Rose county collapsed to 188 all out giving Yorkshire victory by an innings and 37 runs. Richard Dawson was the pick of the bowlers 17-8-29-4.

A trip to Grace Road brought Yorkshire another comprehensive victory, something that looked unlikely when they were bowled out for 230 on the first day. Michael Vaughan’s 82 was the only knock of note as Leciestershire’s medium pacers did the damage. Yorkshire fought back to reduce Leicester to 29 for 3 at the end of the day and continued the good work in to day two by bowling the hosts out for 121. Craig White’s 3-11 the outstanding performance with the ball. Great batting from Lehmann and Byas put Yorkshire into a strong position. They put on 186, Lehmann again in vintage form 193 (286 ball, 23 fours and 2 sixes) and Byas doggedly determined making 100 (173 balls, 8 fours). Yorkshire declared on 429 for 8. Leicestershire put up strong resistance in the second innings. After being reduced to 132 for 7, Wells made 133 and De Freitas made 97 as they put on 152. Leicester were eventually dismissed for 370 leaving Yorkshire with a 168 run victory. White with 3-28 was again the pick of the bowlers.

On 21 August Yorkshire travelled to North Marine Road, Scarborough to take on Glamorgan for a match that would see them clinch the Championship with two games to spare. Glamorgan won the toss and batted but Richard Dawson found plenty of turn to bowl them out for 233. His figures 30-5-82-6. A fine batting performance put Yorkshire into an unbeatable position. 580 for 9 declared, Wood 124 (240 balls, 18 fours and 2 sixes), White 183 (273 balls, 25 fours, 2 sixes) and captain Byas 104 (178 balls, 13 fours and a six). On the third day Glamorgan were not going to deny a rampant Yorkshire and were bowled out for 245 amid great Yorkshire celebrations. Steve Kirby’s 4-40 and Darren Lehmann’s 3-56 doing most of the damage.

With the Championship sealed Yorkshire’s season ended rather meekly, defeat by an innings by Surrey at The Oval, Anthony McGrath’s 116 not out the only highlight and defeat against Essex at Scarborough a game in which Matthew Hoggard took 6-51 and Michael Vaughan made 113.

It took 33 years to get it back, but when David Byas (pictured) lifted that trophy it is hard to describe what it felt like. Please God - let us not have to wait so long again.

What would you give for another season like that? Is it worth a limb? A few quid? Or is it just not that important?

Enter your thoughts in the thread HERE