A Consolation Triumph

Whilst Durham have deservedly won the County Championship with ease, Yorkshire comfortably overcame Middlesex by eighty runs to ensure that the white rose county finishes the summer of 2013 in a highly commendable second position.

Andrew Gale's early season knack of winning the toss has deserted him, but he certainly redeemed himself with over one hundred runs in this pitifully low-scoring fixture. Yorkshire's first innings effort of 210 may have seemed rather puny, but of course one can never assess the value of a first innings until it has been measured against the reply. Therefore, Yorkshire's mediocre total was rendered as substantial when Middlesex collapsed to 128 all out. Having to bat last [a choice that they made] and over eighty runs in arrears from the first half of this encounter left the Londonders with a steep Yorkshire hill to climb.

The pattern for the remaining two innings was of a steady flow of runs amidst a regular fall of wickets. Both teams were at least intent on bowing out in a blaze of er 'glory'. Middlesex certainly had no hesitation in chasing after the target of 277 on the final afternoon as if their lives depended on it, and for this enthusiasm they merit a commendation from moi. Mind you, the visitors once more exposed the far from economical bowling of Brooks and Plunkett, an issue which could escalate next season, if they don't get their collective act together. 

In the end, not even a fine knock from Ashes stalwart Chris Rogers could prevent Middlesex from failing to exceed two hundred runs for the second time in this match and consequently sliding to defeat. There were a few statistics of note that surfaced in this rain-interrupted encounter. First of all, Adam Lyth bagged a pair of ducks at the hands of Corey Collymore, trapped leg before wicket each time. Secondly, Adil Rashid never even bowled a single delivery on this seamer-friendly wicket. Finally, both wicketkeepers, Jonny Bairstow and John Simpson took six catches in the first innings.

Bridesmaids Yorkshire can console themselves that they achieved a rare double over Middlesex, which is no mean achievement during this encouraging but ultimately fruitless campaign.

YORKSHIRE versus Middlesex; at Headingley; 16-19 September; Middlesex won the toss.

YORKSHIRE first innings: 210 (Gale 66, Williamson 52; Collymore 3-38, Murtagh 3-49)

Middlesex first innings: 128 (Sidebottom 4-27, Brooks 3-37, Patterson 3-44)

YORKSHIRE second inings: 194 (Ballance 90; Helm 3-46, Murtagh 3-74)

Middlesex second innings: 196 (Rogers 65; Brooks 4-33, Patterson 3-50)

YORKSHIRE win by 80 runs. YORKSHIRE 21 points; Middlesex 4 points.