Yorkshire v Durham: Improvements are needed after Yorkshire fail to pass first test

YORKSHIRE’s opening match of the season at Worcestershire did not provide the clearest indication of their title credentials.

The general feeling was there were sterner tests to come following a nine-wicket win against the relegation favourites.

The visit of Durham was such a test and one that Yorkshire failed to meet.

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Despite a brave rearguard effort on the final day, a 146-run defeat reflected a one-sided clash at Headingley Carnegie.

Whereas Yorkshire fought back well to win at New Road (they were 155-7 in reply to Worcestershire’s first innings 286), Durham were a different calibre of opponent.

They killed off Andrew Gale’s men in a way Worcestershire were unable to do – despite a Headingley pitch that seemed to ease rather than deteriorate – and will surely challenge for the title if they can keep key players fit; indeed, they won here despite the absence of captain Phil Mustard (inflamed toe), pace bowler Steve Harmison (cracked wrist) and batsman Mark Stoneman (broken hand).

Yorkshire, in contrast, must improve significantly to mount a challenge.

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Their cricket so far has been inconsistent and their batting below-par, although they will take heart from their courageous attempt to salvage a draw.

The good news, indeed, is that Yorkshire are capable of considerably better.

The very fact they have not yet performed to their optimum – although frustrating and disappointing for their supporters – is also a positive they can take into their next match against champions Nottinghamshire at Headingley on Wednesday.

Only two Yorkshire players managed a half-century in this game (Rich Pyrah and Jonathan Bairstow) and only two players (Gerard Brophy and Ryan Sidebottom) passed fifty at New Road.

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Although Yorkshire will be unhappy with those statistics, the potential for enhancement is obvious.

The tendency of the Headingley pitches to die a death almost worked in Yorkshire’s favour.

After only five wickets fell on day three as Durham set the home side a notional 490 for victory, Yorkshire were by no means guaranteed to lose after beginning day four on 88-2.

A good start, however, seemed essential and Yorkshire did not get it as they lost Joe Root and Gale inside the first 22 balls.

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Root failed to add to his overnight 38 before being caught behind off Graham Onions, while Gale was caught behind off leg-spinner Scott Borthwick for five.

From 95-4, Yorkshire had a mountain to climb, but the first seeds of recovery were planted by Bairstow and Brophy, who frustrated Durham for 16 overs before Brophy fell lbw to Callum Thorp for 20.

It was the first time the South African had been dismissed in three innings this season, giving him a Bradman-esque average of 216.

Yorkshire lost a fourth wicket before lunch when Adil Rashid was caught behind down the leg-side off Liam Plunkett, who served up a mixture of pies and jaffas.

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Bairstow and Pyrah knuckled down during the afternoon, refusing to allow themselves to be dominated and playing positively.

Bairstow struck 10 fours in a fine 94-ball half-century, taking advantage of gaps in the field as Durham attacked with the cushion of an unassailable advantage.

The young wicketkeeper looked set for a maiden first-class hundred as he stroked three successive fours off Borthwick – a flowing cover-drive, a thumping square-cut and a late-cut to the Rugby Stand end.

But he fell 19 runs short when he edged Borthwick to Michael Di Venuto at slip after adding 67 in 16 overs with Pyrah, who followed his good work with the ball with an innings of 87 – his highest in the Championship.

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The 28-year-old, playing only his 24th first-class game since his debut seven years ago, went to fifty from 89 deliveries with eight fours.

Pyrah eclipsed his previous competition best of 78 against Worcestershire at New Road in 2005 and also received fine support from Sidebottom, with whom he batted 34 overs during an eighth-wicket stand of 98. The pair carried Yorkshire to within 20 overs of safety before Sidebottom was caught behind off Liam Plunkett for 31 from 96 balls.

When Plunkett struck with the next delivery, pinning Steve Patterson lbw, Yorkshire were 323-9 and the fat lady had entered the stadium.

Moin Ashraf is by no means the worst No 11 to have parked his kit-bag in a dressing room and he stayed with Pyrah for 37 minutes, eventually finishing unbeaten on eight.

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Pyrah deserved a hundred for his gutsy effort but was last out with 11.2 overs of the contest remaining.

Having just been beaten by a fine leg-break from Borthwick, he was adjudged lbw propping forward to a googly.

Borthwick finished with 3-49 and Plunkett 3-75 as Durham clinched the points in the early evening sunshine.