Kane Williamson

By Gary Watton
August 18 2014

With the outlaws of Nottinghamshire predictably overcoming their lightweight neighbours of Northamptonshire, it was vital that Yorkshire did likewise against the more formidable opposition of Sussex. Fortunately the bowlers capitalised on our first innings advantage and made regular inroads into the Sussex second innings, thereby enabling the top order batsmen to polish off the necessary runs in their County Championship fixture.

 This match produced a healthy mix of three centuries, over one thousand runs, and over thirty wickets. It also provided two unlikely or at least irregular phenomena. First of all, the under-achieving Kane Williamson stepped up to the mark and earned his salary with the kind of lengthy innings that he had frequently threatened but never quite delivered. This was Kane's debut ton for his adopted county, arriving just in time, before he takes his leave of the white rose in early September, after the roses tussle with Lancashire. Secondly, Williamson's heroics, reinforced by the efforts of our commendable bowling unit, contrived to produce that rarest of species: a Sussex defeat in Yorkshire. Now the Tykes enjoy a useful six-point lead over the dangerous Nottinghamshire in the County Championship with three contests left. To state that the next two away trips to Lancashire and then to Trent Bridge are crucial would be something of an under-statement!

YORKSHIRE versus Sussex; at Scarborough; August 15th-18th. YORKSHIRE won the toss.

Sussex first innings: 368 (Joyce 130, Cachopa 53, Wright 52; Rashid 3-32)

YORKSHIRE first innings: 493 (Williamson 189, Bairstow 77, Bresnan 61; Wells 3-38)

Sussex second innings: 230 (Wright 113; Bresnan 3-60)

YORKSHIRE second innings: 106 for one

YORKSHIRE won by nine wickets. YORKSHIRE 24 points, Sussex 6 points.

Lyth - Adam took three catches and then ensured a cruise to the winning post with an unbeaten 39. He missed out first time around with a disappointing return of 3.

Lees - The prodigy atoned for his first innings duck egg with an aggressive forty-six as he shared in a stand of 88 that took his team close to the finishing line.

Williamson - The man of the match rescued Yorkshire's first innings with his best-ever score in England, amassing 204 runs. He also took three important catches.

Gale - The captain did manage to win the toss and took a catch on the final afternoon, but he will be disappointed that his 35 did not develop into a much bigger total.

Bairstow - Our trusted wicketkeeper only took one catch in the match, but he followed up his success with the Lions with a characteristically belligerent knock of 77.

Leaning - Dismissed for the second time in the County Championship by his nemesis, Mr Tredwell, Jack nevertheless weighed in with a useful innings of thirty-three.

Rashid - Adil's performances are frequently lopsided, either good with the bat or good with the ball. It was the latter which he excelled at here, taking five for 72 runs.

Bresnan - The giant produced an important all-round display, contributing to a seventh wicket stand of 157 and taking four wickets, albeit at a cost of 147 runs.

Patterson - Steve was the pick of the Yorkshire seamers, taking four wickets, at a cost of only eighty-seven runs, from 45 accurate overs. He remains the unsung hero.

Sidebottom - The veteran took 4 wickets, at a cost of 101 runs, including the opener Wells whom he bowled out cheaply in each innings. This was another fine effort.

Brooks - His three wickets cost 168 runs and he was expensive in each innings. However Jack did take the valuable wicket of Chris Nash on the third afternoon.