A Breathtaking Display From Pyrah

Richard the lionheart Pyrah warmed up for the forthcoming Twenty20 skirmish with Nottinghamshire Outlaws with the kind of batting (and bowling) display that one would associate with a Botham or a Sobers. In fact it is no exaggeration to state that Rich Pyrah almost single-handedly defeated Durham Seconds in their Second Eleven Trophy encounter.

For the record, the impressive openers Hodd and Rhodes added 115 runs for the first wicket in a little over twenty overs. Then along came Hodgson and Pyrah to share in a phenomenal stand of 196 runs for the fourth wicket.

Anyhow, while three Yorkshire players made the biggest contributions to England's losing cause in the test at Lords, and whilst the first eleven were excelling against Middlesex, Mr Pyrah was not to be outdone as he smashed a bewildering thirteen sixes against a Durham attack that hadn't reckoned on such bravado. As a consequence of Pyrah's considerable efforts, the Tykes amassed a total that proved not surprisingly to be way beyond the reach of Durham Seconds. Not content with his batting heroics, RP helped himself to three wickets as the home team pressed home their advantage. This was another terrific tonic for Yorkshire CCC and hopefully it will be a good omen, as the match-winning duo of Richard Pyrah and Azeem Rafiq prepare for crucial one-day outings for the first eleven against Nottinghamshire and Lancashire at the end of this week.

YORKSHIRE SECOND ELEVEN versus Durham Second Eleven; at Marske-by-the-Sea; Tuesday July 22nd. YORKSHIRE SECOND ELEVEN won the toss.

YORKSHIRE SECOND ELEVEN: 383 for five (Pyrah 128, Hodgson 77, Rhodes 63, Hodd 54)

Durham Second Eleven: 198 (Arshad 53; Azeem Rafiq 3-29, Pyrah 3-30)

YORKSHIRE SECOND ELEVEN won by 185 runs. YORKSHIRE SECOND ELEVEN 2 points, Durham Second Eleven 0 points.