Root and Bairstow combine to give Yorkshire upper hand

Joe Root, the 21-year-old opener whom many are tipping as a future international, made an unbeaten 98 and Jonny Bairstow, the 22-year-old batsman-wicketkeeper who played in the last two Tests against the West Indies, an undefeated 36 to take Yorkshire to 190-3 in reply to the visitors’ 253 on a day on which 56 overs were lost to rain.

The pair batted in composed and competent manner against a weakened attack which looked palpably short of ideas as the sorrowful skies of morning gave way to pleasant late afternoon and early evening sunshine.

Minus Chaminda Vaas and Jack Brooks, their two leading bowlers, Northamptonshire looked about as effective as the proverbial chocolate fireguard and Root and Bairstow required no second invitation to melt their resistance as Yorkshire chase a third victory in four Championship games.

Root performed the role of senior partner en route to his highest score of the season for Yorkshire and to within touching distance of his second Championship hundred.

The Sheffield-born right-hander, who made an unbeaten 115 to help England Lions to a 10-wicket win against the West Indians at Northampton last month, looked in terrific touch as he caressed the ball across an outfield bathed in sunlight and shadow.

There was a memorable on-driven four off Andrew Hall, the Northamptonshire captain, which rolled into the advertising hoardings at the Rugby Stand end, along with cover-driven boundaries of the highest class off Lee Daggett and David Willey.

It was Root’s third half-century in this year’s competition and an innings of generally admirable character, although he was grateful for a let-off on 25 when Hall dropped him at first slip off Willey and again on 83 when David Murphy should have stumped him after he was defeated in the flight by the off-spin of former Yorkshire player James Middlebrook.

But the good moments far outweighed the bad ones as Root rewarded the patience of those who waited five hours for the cricket to start.

Bairstow, seeking momentum before next week’s final Test, turned his first ball from Hall through mid-wicket for four and looked magnificently untroubled throughout.

It is fair to say that the Northamptonshire attack is far removed in quality from that of the West Indies but the manner in which Bairstow played could only have heartened the England selectors.

After Yorkshire resumed on 27-0, Adam Lyth fell to the 11th ball of the day when he was caught behind trying to cut Daggett.

Phil Jaques fell cheaply lbw to Daggett before Andrew Gale was trapped in front to give 18-year-old pace bowler Oli Stone his maiden first-class wicket.

But with the day in the balance at 96-3, Root and Bairstow ensured the scales remain firmly weighted in Yorkshire’s favour going into the second half of the contest.

Half-centuries from Wayne Madsen (72) and Dan Redfern (64no) helped Division Two leaders Derbyshire fight back against Gloucestershire at Bristol but Will Gidman ensured the hosts still hold the initiative.

Alex Gidman made 129 as Gloucestershire were all out for 294 and a first-innings lead of 199. Derbyshire inched 12 runs ahead at stumps on 211-5.