Ravi puts Tykes to the sword (From The Northern Echo)

Ravi puts Tykes to the sword

11:11am Wednesday 21st July 2010 in

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RAVI BOPARA was the major thorn in Yorkshire’s side as the Championship leaders suffered a trying time on the opening day of their clash at Chelmsford.

The England hopeful struck a timely 142 from 193 balls as Essex reached the close on a healthy 353-6.

Only briefly did Yorkshire enjoy a period of dominance on a pitch that favoured the batsman – a seven over spell leading up to lunch when they claimed three wickets.

Leg-spinner Adil Rashid made the initial breakthrough to end a partnership of 97 in 24 overs when he breached the defences of Jaik Mickleburgh with a googly for 38. It was a dismissal that came as a big relief to Adam Lyth who had put down a sharp chance at backward point off Oliver Hannon- Dolby with the total on 72.

Alastair Cook, after looking completely at ease whilst moving to 44 with the help of five boundaries, was out in the next over following Mickleburgh’s departure with the total unchanged.

He needlessly chased a wide one from Steve Patterson and was caught behind by Gerard Brophy before the same bowler struck again with the last ball before lunch to trap Tom Westley leg before.

However, Essex regained the ascendancy in the afternoon session. During it, they added 106 for the loss of Matt Walker. The left-hander made 26 in a stand of 80, at which point he swept Rashid to deep mid-wicket where Jonathan Bairstow took a fine catch diving forward.

By then, the impressive Bopara was well-entrenched and there was certain inevitability about his century which he reached from his 138th delivery with the aid of 13 boundaries. He had been joined by skipper James Foster who was to ensure further toil for the Yorkshire bowlers with his forthright approach.

Like Bopara, he was quick to seize upon the loose delivery and it needed the taking of the second new ball to remove him. Foster had made 61 of a stand of 124, an effort containing eight fours and spanning 85 balls when he despatched Hannon-Dalby into the hands of Patterson at deep square leg.

Bopara’s superb innings was to end three overs later with the total on 337. He pulled Tino Best to Rashid at deep square leg to provide the fast bowler with some comfort on a day when he struggled for line and length.

SCORECARD

Essex v Yorkshire
At Chelmsford. Essex Won Toss

Essex First Innings Close
J C Mickleburgh b A U Rashid 38
A N Cook c Brophy b Patterson 44
T Westley lbw b Patterson 6
R S Bopara c A U Rashid b Best 142
M J Walker c Bairstow b A U Rashid 26
J S Foster c Patterson b Hannon-Dalby 61
G W Flower not out 5
T J Phillips not out 11
Extras (b6 lb4 w8 nb2 pens 0) 20
Total 6 wkts (96 overs) 353
Fall: 1-97 2-97 3-120 4-200 5-324 6-336
To Bat: C J C Wright, M A Chambers, A
Carter.
Bowling: Bresnan 21-4-67-0. Best 15-1-59-
1. Patterson 14-1-72-2. A U Rashid 22-5-74-
2. Hannon-Dalby 14-3-54-1. McGrath 10-4-
17-0.