New makes 125, but Bairstow and Root take game away from County 2nds

Date: Friday 05 June 2009

Leicestershire Second XI 346 (Cobb 99, Flowers 74, Pope 66, Lee 5-52) and 261 (New 125, Flowers 63) lost to Yorkshire Second XI 206 (Bairstow 63, Roberts 4-58, Crowe 3-28) and 402-3 (Bairstow 202*, Root 163*) by seven wickets.

Jonathan Bairstow and Joe Root shared an unbroken stand of 358 as Yorkshire Second XI pulled off a tremendous victory against Leicestershire at Oakham CC.

Wicket-keeper Bairstow made an unbeaten 202 which included 36 fours and two sixes, while Root made 163 not out with 25 fours as the visitors turned the game completely on its head.

It was harsh on County, who had dominated the game up to and including parts of the third innings, and were 318-4 in their first dig before Yorkshire hit back by taking six wickets for 28 runs.

Josh Cobb made an excellent 99, and was unfortunately caught in the covers before making a deserve three-figures.

Tom Flowers made 74 and Joel Pope 66 as the home batsmen made hay, but James Lee – who was also impressive in the Trophy match on Monday – took 5-52 as County were dismissed for 346.

Lee’s opening partner, the talented Steve Patterson, also chipped in with a three-for to go with his four-wicket haul from the SET game, and in reply, Yorkshire were going along nicely until the bowlers hit back.

Gary Balance and Chris Taylor shared 50 for the first wicket, but Alex Roberts (4-58), Carl Crowe (3-28), Kieran Garside (2-55) and Dan Masters (1-58) all chipped in to ensure the visitors made just 206 on the flat deck.

Bairstow had already showed his class though, top-scoring with 63.

In the second innings, skipper Tom New made 125 and Flowers again made a half-century (63), but Moin Ashraf took 4-32 and Lee Hodgson 3-48 as County again lost their way.

The team were 213-2, but were dismissed for 268 in looking for quick runs. Despite the flurry of wickets, County had set a daunting target of 402.

At 44-3 with Balance, Taylor and Charles Roebuck dismissed by Masters, Garside and Roberts respectively, that chase looked even more unlikely.

However, Bairstow and Root were in majestic form as the visitors reached their target without further loss.

The junior pro Bairstow, who is highly-rated at Yorkshire and has been in good touch all summer, was in sensational form in making 202 not out, and Academy batsman Root also played beautifully in scoring his unbeaten 163.

It all meant Yorkshire had pulled off a famous victory at the Lime Kilns ground, and County were left to rue one that got away.