Centurions Ensure Nottinghamshire Trouncing

Spare a thought for the erratic but sometimes brilliant Stuart Broad, as he managed a tremendous all-round effort, but it went unrewarded, as his team-mates were less inspiring. Instead, Yorkshire put their Midlands neighbours firmly in their place. The seaming quartet all chipped in with wickets, albeit without bowling as economically as they sometimes can. However, more than anything, it was a 255-run fourth-wicket stand between captain Gale and the prodigy, Jack Leaning, which proved the decisive turning point in another match in which the ball largely dominated the bat.

Winning inside three days was also a much-needed tonic, as the white rose county are snowed under with fixtures at the moment, so a rest day will be a useful bonus. Speaking of bonus, the hosts also helped themselves to a maximum number of points, which can only do good to their County Championship cause.

The champions are now hot on the heels of the runaway leaders Durham, and crucially they have a game in hand, but of more pressing concern will be their duel next week. It won't quite be a championship eliminator, but clearly the winners of that fixture will be ideally placed to proceed towards the chequered flag at the end of September. The contest will see the return of Adil Rashid, who has won many admirers and friends, after his commendable stint in the one-day internationals. However, he remains very much a plan C, as far as test cricket goes, or at least that is the impression one derives from the national selectors. Peculiarly, England's cricket selectors are unique amongst selection panels in their stubborn insistence upon choosing players, based on their recent record, rather than on current form. If the latter criteria was strictly applied, then Gary Ballance, I'm afraid, wouldn't have a leg to stand on. Next week, with the opposition boasting the red-hot Chris Rushworth in their ranks, then England's champions will have to be at their very best against a county that usually raises its game for the challenge of the Tykes. It should be an interesting outing, to say the least.

YORKSHIRE versus Nottinghamshire; at Leeds; Monday the 22nd of June to Wednesday the 24th of June 2015. YORKSHIRE won the toss.

Nottinghamshire first innings: 224 (Brooks 4-56)

Yorkshire first innings: 430 (Gale 148, Leaning 110, Bresnan 52*; Broad 7-84)

Nottinghamshire second innings: 198 (Broad 50; Sidebottom 4-39)

YORKSHIRE won by an innings and eight runs. YORKSHIRE 24 points, Nottinghamshire 3 points.

Lyth - His England buddy dismissed him lbw for a duck. Adam has hit so many runs recently for county and country that he can be forgiven this unexpected failure.

Lees - Fifteen runs from an eighty-six minute vigil at the crease was seriously underwhelming. June has seen Alex's form take an alarmingly distinct nosedive.

Ballance - Another under-performing effort from Gary, as he merely scored fourteen runs. He must be really trying the patience of the England selectors now.

Gale - 'Galey Lad' led from the front, with nineteen fours. Inconsistency is his undoing, but when he clicks, he can make a big splash. More of the same please, sir.

Leaning - 14 fours and a six were recorded in his third ton of the summer. Jack looks a certain starter for the England Lions, with further honours on the cards.

Bairstow/Hodd - Andy Hodd took two catches, before Jonny arrived and hit 15 runs in a brief flurry, and he then took two catches of his own in the second innings.

Bresnan - Tim took four wickets, at the expense of eighty-nine runs. He wasn't economical by any means, but he did offer a very good innings for his team also.

Middlebrook - The old-timer proved a decent stand-in for the absent Rashid, as he chipped in with the final two wickets of the contest, at a match cost of 18 runs.

Patterson - Steven took three wickets, costing ninety-three runs. He wasn't as economical as usual, but his 23 runs reinforced his credentials as a good tailender.

Brooks - JB took five wickets at a cost of 105 runs. This will improve his bowling average and his strike rate, but he still remains a tad too expensive.

Sidebottom - The veteran swinger didn't take long to return to his lethal best after his injury, with match figures of six wickets costing eighty runs, from 26 overs. 

CURRENT DIVISION ONE STANDINGS:

Durham - played eight matches; 131 points

YORKSHIRE - played seven matches; 122 points

Middlesex - played eight matches; 108 points

Warwickshire - played seven matches; 102 points

Somerset - played eight matches; 98 points

Sussex - played eight matches; 84 points

Worcestershire - played eight matches; 74 points

Hampshire - played eight matches; 72 points

Nottinghamshire - played eight matches; 72 points

AVERAGES:

Leaning - 73; 657 runs; highest score - 123; three centuries and two fifties

Bairstow - 69.5; 417 runs; highest score - 125 not out; two centuries and three fifties

Bresnan - 55.33; 332 runs; highest score - 100 not out; one century and two fifties

Pujara - 52.8; 264 runs; highest score - 133 not out; one century and one fifty

Gale - 41.6; 416 runs; highest score - 148; one century and one fifty

BEST BOWLERS (minimum requirement - ten wickets):

Middlebrook - 19.6; ten wickets; best bowling: 5-82

Rashid - 21.73; eleven wickets; best bowling: 4-48

Brooks - 22.72; thirty-two wickets; best bowling: 5-44

Patterson - 23.38; 24 wickets; best bowling: 5-11

Bresnan - 31.14; twenty-two wickets; best bowling: 5-85