Report on third day of Durham v Yorkshire, 15th July 2003 by John Ward

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Scorecard:

Durham v Yorkshire

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Overnight: Yorkshire 448 and 2 for no wicket (Wood 1*, Fleming 1*); Durham 327.
Lunch: no play.
Tea: no play.
Close: Yorkshire (2) 103 for six (White 30*, Gray 4*).

The weather on the third day of Yorkshire’s match at Riverside helped to shatter their superiority over Durham. 28.5 overs were bowled, and in them Yorkshire were shattered mainly by Shoaib Akhtar, staggering to a second-innings score of 103 for six, a lead of 224. The loss of most of the day put the pressure on them to score quickly and prepare for a declaration that otherwise would not have been necessary, if at all, for a long time. Now, it appears, a declaration will not be needed unless the tail can show much more determination than the top order.

It is, of course, impossible to speculate what might have happened, but certainly Yorkshire’s inability to enforce the follow-on appears to be having serious consequences. From Durham’s point of view, the rain has improved their previously very dim chances of victory and brought them back on to level terms.

Rain on and off meant that play was only possible after tea. Again the Yorkshire innings began with an unusual, if not controversial, dismissal. Steve Harmison bowled a ball that shot thorough viciously low, and Matthew Wood (10), apparently misjudging it and thinking it might require evasive action, was astonished to be given out lbw while trying to avoid it, especially as there were doubts as to whether it was in fact straight.

Stephen Fleming responded with three cultured fours in an over off Shoaib Akhtar, but the bowler was to take very serious vengeance. First, Anthony McGrath made just 3 before a leading edge off that bowler reached the covers. Then a lifter from Shoaib flew from the bat of Michael Lumb (5) into the gully and Yuvraj Singh failed to score before edging a full-length ball to the keeper. Yorkshire were in serious trouble at 40 for four and Shoaib had taken three wickets without cost in 11 balls.

At this point, after bowling five overs, Shoaib left the field due to blisters caused by his new boots, and Craig White joined Fleming to dig out a recovery. Fleming was doing a fine job with 38 and taken the score to 72, when Shoaib returned to the field. As if in response, Fleming lashed at a wide ball from Vince Wells, moving wider, and edged a catch to the keeper. A government minister might observe that Yorkshire were making a complete Horlicks of their second innings.

Without addition White was dropped at second slip off Harmison, so the bungles were not going entirely one way. Simon Guy, despite one or two scares, stayed with him, but the light was not good and there was speculation as to whether it was too dark for Shoaib to bowl, as after discussion with the captain Wells he was not offered the ball. When Guy was almost hit by a short ball from Harmison, the umpires decided to take the players off with the score 86 for five, 207 ahead.

The light quickly improved, and there was considerable vociferous comment from the crowd as the umpires were slow to get the players on again. In the event, only four overs were lost. Durham were noticeably reluctant to take the field, but cheered up when Guy (7) played on to Harmison in the same over, without addition to the score.

The improvement in light did not last long and the umpires risked the wrath of the crowd at 103 for six by again offering Yorkshire’s beleaguered batsmen the light, which they were only too happy to take. White, still there with 30, could well be Yorkshire’s top scorer in both innings, and will carry much responsibility on the final day. Shoaib’s current figures are three for 23.

The weather remains the wild card. Unless it is much better tomorrow, both counties will be left to wonder what might have been.

(Article: Copyright © 2003 John Ward)