The dominant force in the County Championship over the last two seasons shows no sign of abating. Yorkshire beat Somerset by an innings and 126 runs on the morning of the third day, recording their ninth victory of the season and putting the White Rose county in an almost unassailable position in pursuit of back-to-back Championship titles. Should Middlesex fail to beat Warwickshire in their current game, Yorkshire will need just six points from the last three games.
The latest victory was based on the batting exploits of three discarded England players and a potent bowling attack which took twenty wickets despite Liam Plunkett and Adil Rashid being on England ODI duty. Once again, Yorkshire have shown an ability to prosper without main men. All bases have been covered.
The damage was done on the first Headingley morning as Somerset slumped to 36 for six after being put in by Andrew Gale. The main man on this occasion had not even been selected for the previous two four-day games. Jack Brooks led with 5 for 35. It was his third five-wicket haul of the season and Somerset barely topped a hundred in thirty-five overs. Yorkshire capitalised with the bat and unerringly moved in for the kill.
Key to a total of 391 were three half centuries from returning England players. Opener Adam Lyth showed welcome form after a disappointing Ashes series with a watchful 62. Gary Ballance continued his good recent performances at county level with 91, a figure matched by Jonny Bairstow. Bairstow passed 1000 Championship runs for the season, in just thirteen innings, and once again made a mockery of England’s selectors leaving him out of the one-day side after his match-winning performance in England’s last international against New Zealand. England’s loss is Yorkshire’s gain, however, and it was good to see this trio getting back into the swing of things.
A lead of 281 was too much for Somerset who succumbed in the second innings to the best bowling attack in the country. Such was the domination of the pacemen that off-spinner James Middlebrook did not bowl a ball in either innings. Much of the talk this season has been about Yorkshire’s England players but at the heart of this side is a typical, unsung county hero. Beverley-born Steve Patterson made his debut a decade ago. There have been no international appearances, unlike many around him, but he has been a key part of his county’s recent success. Patterson has combined accuracy with wicket-taking ability. The evidence lies in 43 wickets and 123 maiden overs, a third of his total output and more than any other bowler in the Championship. He took five Somerset wickets in the game just ended as well as scoring 44 runs as night watchman, sharing a 90-run partnership with Ballance.
So,Yorkshire are poised to romp over the finishing line and could achieve the prize at the home of cricket against Middlesex, starting next Wednesday. They have dominated these past two seasons and no one can argue that their success has not been fully deserved.
