Yorkshire v Notts Championship Day 1

Craig White
By JMB
September 14 2006

We provided updates on the first days play between Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. This is a crucial games in Yorkshire's season. A win this week would go a long way to securing Yorkshire's place in Division One of the County Championship next season.

- CLOSE OF PLAY. White (141) and Patterson (11). Yorkshire close the day on 294-8 just six runs short of a third batting bonus point. Craig White the hero of the day with a classy unbeaten 141. At Old Trafford Durham ended on 255-4. Still all to play for tomorrow however the weather forecast is bleak for Thursday with overnight rain expected so I doubt there will be a full days play.

- 256-8. Lawson OUT. Bowled by Shreck for 15.

- 237-7. Gillespie OUT. lbw Sidebottom for 15.

- 218-6. White moves on to 108, looking to play a few more shots now.

- 213-6. White (103) Gillespie (3) - is 300 still a possibility?

- It's in the balance again guys - three quick wickets have changed the complexion of the game and the mood of the crowd. I suspect White may go into ultra cautious mood and this could be a long slow final session. Still very important Chalky stays in now.

- All stand for the skipper. Craig White 100 not out. SUPERB knock. Yorkshire are 209-6. Gillespie (2). Well played Chalky.

- 206-6. White (98) Gillespie (1).

- Jason Gillespie joings Craig White at the crease.

- GUY OUT. The wheels are coming off again. c Fleming (in the slips) b Sidebottom for a duck.

- 203-5. White (98) Guy (0).

- Simon Guy, in good form for the seconds, now has a chance to stake his claim for the wicket keeping spot next season.

- GALE OUT. Stumped off the bowling of Swan. A bad resumption after tea. Yorkshire 202-5 off 73.5 overs. Swan bowling well, brought Gale forward and beat him. Gale well out of his ground. Not a clever shot at this stage of the game. The ball is obviously spinning for Fleming to resume with Swan after tea, although that will be partly motivated by the need to bowl the overs quickly.

- 201-4. White (96) one boundary away from a fine hundred. Sidebottom back on after tea.

- Remember please tell us what you think to our coverage on the message board. It's lonely sat her typing away on my own! Bad news from Old Trafford where Durham are 177-1 at tea. At the moment though Yorkshire have gained 1 batting point against Durham's 0.

TEA. Yorkshire are 200-4 with Craig White playing a captains innings of 95 not out. The afternoon has belonged to The Tykes losing only one wicket and adding 121 runs. The Notts bowling figures aren't quite as impressive as at lunch either! The afternoon belonged in the main to Adil Rashid who made his first meaningful contribution to the Yorkshire first team with the bat, making a career best 63.

200-4. White (95) and Gale (11). Patel bowling the penultimate over before tea.

194-4. White (91) and Gale (9). Unlikely now White will reach three figures before tea, but I doubt he will care. We may have lost Rashid but the Yorkshire lads have fought hard to get back into contention in this game.

183-4. White (87) and Gale (2). Members not impressed with injuries incurred in todays warm up. Been a bug bear of a few that the side warms up by playing rugby and football for some time. They cannot understand why the side doesn't just play cricket! McGrath likely to play next week but sounds like Hoggy is now out of action for the remaining fixtures.

179-4. White (83) and Gale (2). Some pressure on Gale here. He scored a superb century in Scarborough but otherwise has had a poor season averaging only 27.42. This is a chance for him to impress.

- 177-4. White (82) and Gale (1). Been easy to forget White during the Rashid innings. He's still there and is patiently building his and the teams score. Closing in slowly on his third first class hundred of the season.

- Andrew Gale joins Craig White (78) with a little over a quarter of an hour left until tea. Important these two see us through to the sandwiches. I couldn't tell if the ball spun to deceive Rashid, but if it did it would suit Yorkshire more than Notts. Rashid could play a large part in the rest of this game alongside Lawson.

- RASHID OUT. The end of an excellent innings. Caught Ealham bowled Swann for 63. Yorkshire 172-4. White and Rashid put on a superb 130 runs for the fourth wicket.

- 171-3. Craig White on to 77, Rashid on 63. Fleming has now brought Swan on to bowl, probably through to tea to assess whether there is any spin in this pitch. Harris plugging away at the other end. Still no sign of Ealham with the ball - have heard that he is carrying an injury, would have thought this could have been a pitch to suit him.

- Chalky and Adil have really provided this innings with backbone. This is what we need in the side, players that can perform when it really matters. Be a shame if Craig White leaves the county at the end of the season (see message board for more information).

- 163-3. White (73) and Rashid (59) another boundary from Adil. Partnership now worth 121 runs.

- Yorkshire have done brilliantly this afternoon. They've mixed aggression with care and Fleming has been forced to move a few fielders out of catching positions. The ball doesn't seem to be working the same magic it did this morning and it's now down to White and Rashid to take the scoreboard through until tea.

- Rashid gets his maiden first class 50 (112 balls and 7 fours). Well played Adil! He's 53 not out and it's been a fine innings under considerable pressure. Yorkshire 151-3. Not looking so bad now but these two need to keep going as a wicket can often lead to more. It may have been a disappointing season on many fronts but we've got a real gem in Rashid.

- 145-3. White (69) and Rashid still 47 - been on that a while now. Partnership now over a hundred - well played guys.

- Rashid looking a little edgy the closer he gets to the 50. 135-3 off 53 overs. Charlie Shreck back in to the attack in place of Sidebottom. The mood of the Yorkshire fans around me is certainly more positive than it was earlier, although some Durham wickets would help too.

- Anthony McGrath pulled out after also suffering an injury in practice - team mate collided with his shin, although there is no break and he should be fit for next weeks match. Productive warm up this morning then...

- 135-3. Rashid (47) nearing a maiden first class fifty. An excellent innings under incredible pressure under the circumstances. He's showing that he has it between the ears as well as in the spin fingers.

- 126-3. Rashid into the forties (42). Franks replaces Harris in the bowling attack. This partnership has now added 84 runs for the 4th wicket.

- 120-3. White moves on to 63.

- A scan has shown that Hoggard hasn't torn side muscles. He is to have an MRI scan tomorrow to assess whether he has suffered an abdominal strain.

- 116-3. White (59) and Rashid (36). Rashid is looking really good. He's a confident lad anyway but you can see him growing with every shot.

- When you watch Sidebottom bowling you have to feel that he's been unfortunate to only get one test cap. A case of picking him too early and then just ignoring him completely I feel.

- 108-3. White (59) and Rashid (28).

- Problem here is that although I want Rashid to score loads of runs you can't help feel that as soon as he proves himself with the bat as well as ball then he'll be with England more than Yorkshire. The promotion to number 5 has done him the world of good.

- 102-3. White (56) and Rashid (27) off 41 overs.

- 99-3. I don't know what White has had for lunch but he's off like a train this afternoon. Another boundary and on to 56 not out.

- 92-3. Rashid (23) and White (50). 39 overs bowled so far today. Fifty partnership.

- White gets his fifty WELL PLAYED CHALKY. Yorkshire 91-3. Craig White 50 not out. Don't give it away now boys.

- Been chatting over lunch about what a good score would be here. Consensus is that 200+ looks good at the moment. That would get us only one bonus point. If these two can stay together for a while 250 could become a possibility (2 bonus points for that).

- 87-3. White (46) thumps Sidebottom away for four. He's nearing what will be a very valuable fifty.

- 82-3. White and Rashid off the mark straight away after the break and move on to 41 and 22.

- Looks like Sidebottom and Harris to resume the attack, no surprises there as Shreck did a lot of bowling this morning. Rashid has a lot to prove with the bat and has started well.

- Okay we're back, the players are on their way out to the middle and let's hope the Yorkshire revival can continue through the afternoon. I've been very impressed with both White and Rashid this morning but we all know what a lunch break can do to a batsmans innings.

- Remember you can have your say on the message board - second top of left hand index bar. What are your reactions so far? What do you think of what we are doing on this site? Are these live commentaries something you'd like us to do more of? If not please let us know.

- LUNCH. Yorkshire 79-3. Craig White (40) and Adil Rashid (20) have restored some order into Yorkshire's batting after a rocky start. We were all hoping for better but at 42-3 we'd have settled for getting through the remainder of the morning without further incident. It has been a tough morning for batting and Craig White has been a rock at one end. Some more good batting required this afternoon. Sidebottom 1-19 has bowled superbly this morning. He has been ably supported by Shreck 1-28 and Harris 1-17. Commentary will resume at 1.15 when I've had my lunch.

- Durham are 74-0 against Lancashire at lunch. Remember though it is possible for Durham to get max bonus points in (or even win) that match and still be overhauled by Yorkshire at Headingley next week.

- Swann introduced into the attack for an over or two before the break.

- 77-3. So can White (38) and Rashid (20) hang on until the break? Important ten minute period now. Yorkshire have thought back well and Rashid has shown great shot selection and maturity.

- As predicted Sidebottom back on for Shreck. Sidebottom has been the pick of the Notts bowlers this morning. Tough test with fifteen minutes left until lunch.

- 69-3 White 37 and Rashid to 13 (now his highest score for Yorkshire - need him to get a few more yet)

- Shreck and Harris bowled in tandem for 11 overs. Franks replaces Harris and immediately White tucks him away for a boundary. Would think Fleming would bring back Sidebottom to try and pick up a wicket before lunch at the other end. Yorkshire 65-3.

- Some runs to report at last. Yorkshire on to 61-3, White 33 and Rashid is 9. Remember his highest score is 10 so some good may come out of this mornings play.

- This is real attritional stuff. 52-3 but the main aim is to survive until lunch. For those wanting to know scores from elsewhere Durham are 53-0.

- Fifty up. 51-3 (White 28, Rashid 4). Just been told that Hoggard isn't playing because he has suffered a slight side strain. He has gone to hospital for a check up - more for England purposes than Yorkshire's I would think.

- 46-3. Rashid off the mark 2*. About 45 minutes left until lunch. Essential we get through unscathed.

- 44-3. Big test for Rashid this. He can bat and has scored runs in the seconds but his highest first team score is only 10. Bad news coming through from Old Trafford too with Durham 36-0 after winning the toss there.

- Lumb OUT for 10. Harris has bowled well and gets the breakthrough ct Sidebottom. Brings young Rashid to the wicket in a very tense situation. Surprised to see him come in ahead of Gale. Yorkshire 42-3 and in big trouble just when it looked like they'd weathered the storm.

- Shreck back on to replace Sidebottom. Yorkshire have done well since the early wickets. White leading from the front.

- 42-2 both batsmen into double figures (White 23, Lumb 10). Sidebottom has bowled eight straight overs and has 1-17, pity he's on the wrong team.

- 35-2 Lumb looking good and more importantly safe at the moment. Mature innings so far. Harris into the attack to replace Shreck. White (18*) looking solid at the other end. It's slow going out there.

- Nearly 40 minutes played and Notts definitely in control. It's batten down the hatches time. White and Lumb are playing well. Chalky is in typical focussed combatative mood - he'll take it personally if we are relegated under his leadership, particularly as it's been questionned in this mornings paper whether he will be at Yorkshire next season. Yorkshire 25-2.

- 23-2 White at least looks in control (13*) - hope I haven't spoken to soon - and Lumb off the mark with a boundary.

- Time to re-evaluate. It is tough out there. The ball is definitely ruling the bat this morning and the Notts opening pair certainly know what they are doing. White and Lumb have to be patient and stay there. It's not going to be this tough all day. What is it with ex-Yorkshire bowlers this season. First Silverwood - now Sidebottom.

- WICKET - Lehmann out bowled by Sidebottom. I should have kept quiet. That is a big wicket and Yorkshire are in big trouble. Lumb in now with White. Time for Lumb to deliver. Yorkshire 15 - 2. Still no breakfast!

- Yorkshire 9-1 with White 7* and Lehmann still not off the mark - that doesn't matter. Prefer him to be on 0* at lunch than out cheaply. Bear with me I need a bacon sandwich - no breakfast!

- NO!!! Sayers has gone LBW to Shreck. Yorkshire 2-1. Lehmann strides to the wicket taking the place of McGrath at number 3. Not the start we needed. It looks like hard work out there.

- Off the mark 2-0 - Sayers 2*. Shreck sharing the new ball with Sidebottom.

- And we're off. Sidebottom bowling a very tight first over to Craig White. Fleming has an attacking field. If Yorkshire are going to win this match they need to survive what looks like it could be a tough morning session. Come on Yorkshire!!!

- Time for White and Sayers to get their pads on. Yorkshire will miss McGrath today. Does anyone know why Hoggard and McGrath are not playing after being named in the squad?

- Craig White has lost the toss and Stephen Fleming has asked Yorkshire to bat first. He obviously thinks that the ball will do something this morning. Yorkshire need to build a big score and bat Notts out of the game. Sidebottom on his return to Headingley may have something to say about that.

- The Notts team is Fleming (Capt), Smith, Hussey, Harris, Alleyne (WK), Ealham, Franks, Sidebottom, Swann, Shreck, Patel

- Yorkshire have gone with the starting XI of Craig White (Capt), Joe Sayers,
Andrew Gale, Michael Lumb, Darren Lehmann, Adil Rashid, Simon Guy (WK), Mark Lawson, Jason Gillespie, Steven Patterson and Deon Kruis. 12th man and left out of the starting line up is Hoggard. McGrath replaced by Gale.

- Okay here we go! I've just arrived at the ground and I'm feeling surprisingly nervous. The Yorkshire players appear to be in good spirits and they'll need to be at the top of their game today to stake a claim in this match. Nottinghamshire have had a decent run of late but rely heavily on Stephen Fleming for both guidance and runs. I'll let you know as soon as the teams are announced.

- The weather forecast for today is 24 degrees but with a chance of some showers which is worrying. We need a full days play.