Gale Forces Fast Root Back to Pavilion

Barmy Kev reports on day where Ballance was tipped both way ways with some Yorkshire background comments that may or not enhance report.

Due to dodgy forecast and I had other plans today I was doubtful if I was going to turn up. Thanks to Winsky’s morning precipitation watch which is usually accurate on the actual day predicting 0 per cent chance of preci..  Ok   rain till 4 and the horrible fixture list for me I wouldn't be able to attend a game for at least 3 weeks. I thought I'd ought to make the effort. Moreover. who else will do report if I don't turn up?  There was a lack of spring in my step and I turn up half an hour late, please note I was at Hove an hour before start of first day of season. On journey Beefy texts me to say we won toss and they are batting. I expect to arrive with 4 wickets down.

It was only one down as score was 18 and in 10 minutes it took me to be settled in my seat the score moved to 31 without further loss. Oh it was very cold, but there was a Yorkie fan in front of me dressed for the beach. Harry was looking expensive, change of bowling Hi Fi beating bat 3 times in first over but after that Williamson and Lyth looking worryingly comfortable.  A move from Grandstand to Upper Warner caused my first witnessed wicket as Simmo caught spectacularly down leg side Lyth who walked although didn't seem obvious nick to me.  One leads to two and Root who replaced captain Gale who dropped himself, is plum LBW, which gave much scope for report headline which was discussed in depth ( can anyone can do better than one chosen?)  First bonus point picked up with our over rate -1. As lunch approaching score 74-3, I state unless we get wicket it’s an even session with Yorkie fan commenting, sorry can't do accent "it's Yorkshire all the way". This was promptly followed by the dangerous Williamson caught at slip 76-4 just about our session at lunch.

Over lunch our over rate changed from -1 to a green 0, well done Don After lunch runs not coming as easy, the conversation as veering towards the point of the tube strike , Rashid is out fishing outside really good catch again in slips by reliable Sir Ollie . Sorry reject Hodd didn't last long slashing straight into gulley's hands. And Ballance tipped in our favour after catch by Robbo in gulley.  Sidebum facing first ball bisected slips 2 balls later dropped by the “reliable” Ollie, how crucial would that be? 48 runs later we found out as with Plunkett an irritating stand was broken by 3rd slip catch. To be fair we have caught 7 out of 8 so far.  We were happy as Pattison was surely out caught off of lifter, but not given presumably off arm guard shame for me as I caught moment of celebration on film. Not costly as he was bowled soon after as was Brooks.  Credit where due Plunkett got a quick very useful in context 56. The 176 all out as tea taken made me think what an interesting session for us ahead as I hear the same Yorkie voice from the Upper Warner reckoned we'd be 5 down by close.

We all thought this was out

With Rogers out early we are 1-1 this Yorkshire fan asked me about the follow on target. At 20-1 there was what seemed like snick a celebrated wicket not given, the Yorkie fan said he should have walked but did next ball as there was a clear edge.  I was reminded of 3rd wicket stand against Notts that we needed now. At 32-2 the Yorkie voice friend mentioned we avoided the follow on target in this moment Malan hit 3 successive fours. I was amongst Terry Abbot's friends and was kind of poignant as members of this group sponsored his Middx kit.   We were looking solid if not spectacular but Malan was cleaned bowled for another score in 30’s, 57-3 and there were sporadic chants round ground of " Yorkshire  Yorkshire ".  Dext was holding out by skin of teeth, Moggie started to play some confident shots but you never know when a wicket is going to fall. It didn't as we’re off as light closed in followed by precipitation.  At 64-3 I say honours slightly in favour of Yorkshire and perhaps we allowed their tail especially Plunkett a few too many. It is so difficult to tell at this stage and  I don't like these Sunday starts especially when it’s so cold. On saying that I had an enjoyable day and glad I turned up.