Where there’s a Will there’s a way as Luxton makes maiden first-class century for Yorkshire CCC

It was one on which Yorkshire scored 386-6 after being sent into bat and which opener Will Luxton will never forget, the 23-year-old achieving his maiden first-class hundred on his 13th appearance, making more runs in one innings (167) than he had managed in his previous nine first-team innings this year combined (130).

In a performance that matched the splendour of the surrounds, Luxton seized his chance at a venue where he made his first-team debut just under five years ago. He has featured more in white-ball cricket than red-ball since then, his only other first-team hundred coming in the One-Day Cup, also against Warwickshire, at Rugby School in 2024.

Rather like those Yorkshire members who flock to Scarborough each year, as if in the grip of a magician’s spell, Luxton seems to have an affinity with this place. His only fifties in first-class cricket also came here – 71 against Surrey last year and 59 against Sussex in 2024. No doubt he would like to carry the pitch around with him if that were possible, groundsman John Dodds producing another good surface.

In front of 2,532 spectators, Yorkshire enjoyed a fine day indeed as they seek a third win in four Championship games. The one blot in that time was a 377-run thumping in the reverse match at Edgbaston, Yorkshire’s second-biggest defeat by a runs margin.

Warwickshire’s eyes might have lit up again when they won the toss here, the skies overcast, the pitch tinged with green. Come start of play, though, the sun had appeared and the pitch, although offering something for the bowlers, offered value for shots too, and Warwickshire did not make optimum use of the new ball it seemed, although Lyth and Luxton still needed to be watchful.

So watchful was Lyth that his trademark cover drive was not properly unfurled until 45 minutes in, a ball from Ethan Bamber stroked beautifully to the foot of the Popular Bank, at which point one felt that all was right with the world (Iran, Ukraine, etc, notwithstanding).

On a day that began with a minute’s silence for Keith Piper, the former Warwickshire wicketkeeper who died last week, Lyth played second fiddle to Luxton’s first violin and seemed perfectly content with his role in the orchestra.

Luxton hit Oliver Hannon-Dalby for three boundaries in his first over from the Peasholm Park end, the tall right-hander driving him through the covers, clipping him through fine leg and then playing him away square on the offside. Before one knew it, or so it seemed, Luxton had his fifty from 78 balls with nine fours, a milestone warmly applauded by the crowd.

With the North Stand now closed, pending demolition, many congregated at the opposite end to maintain a position behind the bowler’s arm, the wind strong enough to blow down a couple of advertising hoardings on that Trafalgar Road side. Yorkshire did not lose a wicket until 15 minutes before lunch, and it was a controversial one, Lyth adjudged caught behind off a ball from Ed Barnard that definitely brushed the pad on the way through. It ended a stand of 102, the total rising to 118-1 at the break.

After lunch, Luxton took back-to-back boundaries off Bamber – one through square leg, the other through the covers – and built another good stand with Sam Whiteman. The Australian – back in the side after injury – progressed almost imperceptibly to a half-century from 69 balls with eight fours, accumulating sensibly. It was some surprise when he was finally out, stumped down the leg-side advancing to Manav Suthar, the Indian left-arm spinner on debut for Warwickshire. Whiteman contributed 55 to a second-wicket stand of 90 inside 24 overs.

James Wharton went to a brilliant catch by wicketkeeper Alex Davies, diving full-length to his right after Barnard found the edge, then Luxton reached his hundred in the grand manner, slog-sweeping Suthar for six over the Popular Bank. He celebrated in the understated style typical of the man; Matty Revis, the non-striker, seemed more outwardly pumped, as it were, on behalf of his partner.

The final session started with Yorkshire 238-3, the challenge not to squander that promising platform. Revis fell to the second new ball, bowled by Bamber for a solid 40, ending a stand of 94 with Luxton in 26 overs.

Jonny Bairstow added 74 with Luxton at better than a run-a-ball, the captain hoisting Bamber for a lovely straight six into the disused stand on his way to an unbeaten 49 from 44 deliveries.

Luxton fell just before stumps, lbw as he tried to sweep Suthar, having faced 261 balls and hit 22 boundaries, then nightwatchman Ben Cliff was caught at first slip for a fifth-ball duck off Hannon-Dalby.