Yorkshire Display Promise Despite Weather Frustrations

29/11/2023 13:09 Share

The 2022 County Championship season proved to be one that was a huge challenge for Yorkshire Cricket Club after defeat in the final round of matches saw the club relegated to Division 2.

The focus going into 2023 was therefore on trying to battle back into the top flight and whilst there was plenty of promise displayed on the pitch, the impact of the weather would prove to be key as a busy season played out.

The campaign got underway against Leicestershire at Headingly, with the home side starting strongly as it amassed an impressive first innings total of 517 thanks to centuries from Dawid Malan and Finlay Bean - only for the visitors to fight back and score 415 with Peter Handscomb reaching three figures.

Yorkshire would declare on the final morning on 286-8 to leave their rivals needing an unlikely 389 for the win but Rishi Patel struck 125 to help his side to a three wicket victory.

Heavy rain then forced the game against Gloucestershire to be abandoned without a ball being bowled, although it looked like a first win of the season was on the way against Sussex before more rain prevented any play on the final day.

Instead of trying to score the 63 needed to win with seven wickets in hand, Yorkshire had to settle for a draw, before a similar result in the next game against Glamorgan.

Yorkshire Cricket

This time around however, there was cause for celebration at the result as Yorkshire battled against the odds to recover from being bowled out for just 106 in the first innings to hold on in the final innings – reaching 412-9 as captain Adam Lyth enjoyed a fine knock of 174.

A thrilling game with Durham ended in a narrow one wicket defeat, with focus then turning to the Vitality Blast before the next County Championship game against Derbyshire at Chesterfield,

Bowling the home side out for 111 in the first innings, Yorkshire took a solid early lead but Derbyshire battled back to set a tricky victory target of 212 – before grabbing late wickets on the third day to leave the White Roses needing 65 more runs with only four wickets in hand.

When Malan fell to the first ball of the final day, Derbyshire were favourites for the win but Shan Masood and Dom Bess were able to guide Yorkshire to a first victory of the season.

Bean, George Hill and Matthew Revis all scored centuries in the next game against Gloucestershire in a high-scoring draw and Yorkshire were in control against Worcestershire only to be left frustrated by the weather - which again led to a drawn game.

The weather continued to be a source of frustration with a final day washout ending any chance of a result against Sussex, despite Yorkshire having being firmly on top against one of the form sides – with Lyth hitting a century and Malan producing a knock of 92.

It meant six draws from nine matches going into a game with Durham at Scarborough, where another century from Lyth allowed Yorkshire to post a solid total of 340 in their first innings.

Rain again impacted on the result however, with the third and fourth days both lost to the weather as another game ended without a positive result.

Yorkshire Cricket

Following the One Day Cup competition, the County Championship resumed in early September against Derbyshire and for once, the weather was on Yorkshire’s side and a dominant performance with the bat – which included a second career century for Matthew Revis – set the visitors a target of 571 to win.

For the second time in the season, Yorkshire duly wrapped up a victory over their rivals, with Dom Bess taking 4-79 to help secure a 277 run win.

A stunning 192 from Shan Masood allowed Yorkshire to then set 500 in the first innings against Glamorgan before a five wicket hall from Revis saw the Welsh side forced to follow on.

Glamorgan would salvage a draw before another rain-affected result against Leicestershire saw the points shared going into the final game against Worcestershire.

After the away side scored the bonus points they needed to gain promotion, Yorkshire elected to declare in their first innings despite being 127 behind in a bid to try and force a result in the game.

Jack Libby and Jack Haynes both scored centuries as Worcestershire raced to 232-2 on the final morning before declaring to set Yorkshire a challenging target of 360, but a fine century from Masood - who hit 123 - helped to help steer his side to a six wicket victory to end the campaign on a high.

Whilst promotion would need to wait for another season, a record of just two defeats was cause for optimism looking ahead to 2024, which will once again start with a game against Leicestershire.

Yorkshire Cricket