Root eyes a bonus as Yorkshire wait for decision on Harmison

Root’s 222 not out was a career-best and was the high point of match which was never given the chance to take off.

Only on the third day was there substantial play, 80 overs in which Yorkshire reached 350-9 declared and Hampshire responded with 39 for no wicket.

But for Root, at least, the trip to the Ageas Bowl was not entirely wasted. Having hit only one previous six in his first-class career, he hit three more in an innings which contained 26 fours and which came off 270 balls.

Root, at 21 one of the bright young prospects of English cricket, modestly admitted that gleaning a fourth batting bonus point was as important as reaching a significant personal landmark.

“I was proud of what I did, but I was equally proud that we got that extra batting point because it could be vital at the end of the season when every point matters.

“The pitch was flatter than on the second day when we reached 83-3 so it was a little easier to stay in. Having lost the toss there was bound to be something in the wicket when Hampshire put us in and so it proved. We had to work hard just to avoid getting out.

“The key was to absorb the pressure when Hampshire bowled well and capitalise when they did not. But batting only became easier in the afternoon of the third day when the sun came out.

“I am certainly not renowned for hitting sixes. I leave that to the others. But I was told by the coach and captain to push on to try to reach that fourth point.

“Overall, I am pleased to have hit this double century for my family. They have done so much for me over the years, carting me around the country.

“What I want to do now for them is to help make sure we get promoted at the end of the season. Being relegated was a big blow and our aim now is to bounce straight back.’’

Diligent Root was dropped only once, on 215, by which time Hampshire had given up hope of reducing Yorkshire to a low score.

At one stage, Yorkshire were 108-6 but Root was the dominant partner in crucial stands with Azeem Rafiq, Steven Patterson and finally with Moin Ashraf.

For Yorkshire stand-in captain Phil Jaques, the club’s seventh successive draw – which leaves them 25 points off the top – will be quickly forgotten.

And the match may well have marked the beginning and the end of former England fast bowler Steve Harmison’s loan spell.

Harmison, who scored two batting at No 10, failed to impress with a five-over burst at the start of the Hampshire reply.

Harmison struggled for length and line, conceding four wides and 25 runs and dished up some half-volleys eagerly despatched by openers Jimmy Adams and Neil McKenzie.

The former England man could now be recalled by parent club Durham following the selection of Graham Onions for England’s Test squad to face South Africa at The Oval on Thursday.

Yorkshire signed Harmison as cover for former England left-armer Ryan Sidebottom, who has a calf injury which could rule him out of this week’s match at Chesterfield against Derbyshire (July 18-21), and the games against Leicestershire at Grace Road (July 27-30) and Northamptonshire at Wantage Road (August 1-4).

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who is on Australia A duty, could return at Grace Road.

With the second Test starting at Headingley on August 2, it means Harmison might not play for Yorkshire again before his loan spell runs out if Onions retains his international place.

Harmison had made three Championship appearances for Durham this year, taking six wickets at 38.16 but had dropped down the pecking order.

Onions, 29, played in England’s last Test against the West Indies at Edgbaston.

It was his first Test appearance for nearly two-and-a-half years after England chose to rest James Anderson and Stuart Broad with the series already won.

Onions laid down a marker for the South Africa series by taking 4-88 from 29.3 overs in a rain-ruined draw.

Leaders Derbyshire have completed the loan signing of Warwickshire wicketkeeper Richard Johnson to cover for the injured Tom Poynton.

The 23-year-old, who has made eight first-class appearances for the Bears, will deputise after Poynton failed to recover from an abdominal injury which has already sidelined him for two games.

Head coach Karl Krikken said: “Tom’s injury is taking slightly longer to recover than first anticipated. Chris Durham has already come in and done a good job for us. However, we felt it would be wise to add a little more experience in this critical area of the squad ahead of a busy period.”

No play was possible in any of the LV County Championship matches on Saturday.

Middlesex versus Nottinghamshire, Lancashire against Surrey and Gloucestershire against Essex were declared draws after not a single ball was bowled. A wet outfield prevented any play between Warwickshire and Sussex on day three at Edgbaston, while the first day of Northants versus Glamorgan was also washed out.