Alex Lees

By Gary Watton
April 14 2015

Not even the handicap of six missing first-team players in the sunny Caribbean [where four of them are currently redundant!] could stop Yorkshire producing a lethal third day's display that completely turned the table on Worcestershire. Until the third morning, this contest was very much in the balance, with the hosts likely to derive some advantage from Yorkshire having to bat fourth. Unfortunately for the home team, if you fail to post a significant total in your second innings, then the subsequent run chase becomes much less daunting.

Assisted by good tailend batting from Tim Bresnan, which was aided by support roles from Jack Brooks and an injured Ryan Sidebottom, the Tykes had their tails up as they set out to minimise the run chase by tearing into Worcestershire's batting line-up. Brooks once more confirmed his reputation as arguably the country's hottest new-ball bowler. Clearly England's loss is Yorkshire's gain. Then along comes Steven Patterson to put the lid on the proceedings with a tremedous spell of bowling. What is all the more remarkable is that the mission was accomplished without Ryan Sidebottom, nor Liam Plunkett or Adil Rashid. To skittle Worcestershire out for a nice round one hundred, even with Moeen Ali in their ranks, with a depleted bowling unit, is further testimony of Yorkshire's dynamic ability to conquer opponents with ease, even when they have many notable absentees. This will be a wake-up call for newly-promoted Worcestershire, a team that looked fine and dandy on days one and two, before they were dismantled on day three. The champions have emphatically served notice that they will be making a vigorous defence of the County Championship and they've laid down the marker that they remain the team to beat, with or without their first-choice players.

There were a number of obvious heroes in this ten-wicket trouncing. Prominence must be allocated to the victorious young captain Alex Lees who certainly stepped up to the mark, with a brace of fifties, the second of which was unbeaten. Bresnan produced an important innings-saving knock, while the duo of Brooks and Patterson excelled on the third day. Now Yorkshire can welcome back Andrew Gale and maybe one or two England cast-offs as we contrive to cope with a whole host of absences. Anyhow, under the circumstances, this first triumph is extraordinary, even by the high standards set by this team and previous teams in the white rose's history. The Tykes have already inserted themselves at the top of the English charts, with more than a day to spare. Bravo!

Worcestershire versus YORKSHIRE; at Worcester; Sunday the 12th to Tuesday the 14th of April. Worcestershire won the toss.

Worcestershire first innings: 311 (Fell 114, Moeen Ali 62, Andrew 59; Brooks 5-56, Bresnan 3-48)

YORKSHIRE first innings: 307 (Lees 87, Bresnan 83; Andrew 5-85, Shantry 4-65)

Worcestershire second innings: 100 (Patterson 5-11, Brooks 4-28)

YORKSHIRE second innings: 105 for no wicket (Lees 52*)

YORKSHIRE win by ten wickets. Worcestershire 6 points, YORKSHIRE 22 points.

Lees - The stand-in captain is already boasting a batting average of 139. He will be pivotal to Yorkshire, especially if Lyth eventually gets an England test start.

Rhodes - His first innings lasted a mere five balls. However, he made amends with a 51-ball knock of 45 not out second time around and took two catches as well.

Pujara - This was not exactly a debut to remember as he incurred a six-ball duck. It did not matter this time, but he will need to improve drastically on this effort!

Pyrah - Batting in the unaccustomed position of number four, Rich did at least stem the early loss of wickets as he shared in a stand of 108 with his young captain.

Leaning - He took two important catches, including Moeen Ali in the second innings. His batting really needs to kick on this year. His score of 10 is not a good sign.

Hodd - Four catches and thirty runs was a useful return from Bairstow's stand-in. Hodd probably plays better in one-day cricket, but he's still a solid performer.

Bresnan - The 'veteran' bowled well in the first innings, ending with match figures of 4 for 92. His game-changing batting contribution meanwhile was priceless.

Patterson - He was one of three ducks in our innings, but Steve more than made amends, taking six wickets at a cost of fifty-one runs. He remains Mr Reliable.

Sidebottom - An injury blighted Ryan's first outing of the season. His bowling was less accurate than usual, taking 1 for 77, but he did provide 14 useful runs.

Brooks - Nine wickets at a mere cost of eighty-four runs was a massive statement. An England call-up is still possible. He even can bat too, as his 26 proved.

Carver - A score of five runs and bowling figures of none for 36 from only six overs will be quickly forgotten. This was not a wicket for young spinners.