Rudolph Shines Even as Familiar Foe Denies Him Ton

Match report from day one of Hampshire's LV= County Championship clash against Yorkshire at The Rose Bowl

HAMPSHIRE v Yorkshire
LV= County Championship
Day One: Tuesday 2 August 2011
The Rose Bowl

Summary: Yorkshire lead Hampshire by 318 runs
with seven wickets remaining in their first innings
 Yorkshire: 318-3

Hampshire Team
Adams*, Dawson, Carberry, McKenzie, Vince, Ervine, Cork*, Bates⁺, Briggs, Wood, Tahir

Yorkshire Team
Lyth, Rudolph, McGrath, Gale*, Brophy⁺, Ballance, Rashid, Shahzad, Pyrah, Sidebottom, Wainwright

Yorkshire’s South African batsman Jacques Rudolph - one of four Rose Bowl half-century makers - put his team in charge on the first day of Hampshire’s vital LV= County Championship match.

His resolute 211 ball 99, alongside a punchy Andrew Gale (54) knock helped Yorkshire to post a daunting 318-3 at the close and stifle a Hampshire bowling attack which bowled with both commitment and energy throughout on a flat, batting track. But contributions in the middle-order from Anthony McGrath (65*) and Gary Ballance (50*) made it hard work for the hosts.

Despite this, Chris Wood (1-42 from 18 overs), in particular, added to his growing reputation as a dangerous fast bowler in First-Class cricket with a magnificent seven over burst first up from the Pavilion End. He registered seven consecutive maidens, as well as taking the opening wicket to make him the standout performer for Hampshire. Though, Imran Tahir (2-89), also bowled well and was perhaps, unlucky not to have claimed more victims with his miserly spin.

It means it is all set-up for an interesting second day’s play, where Hampshire will be desperate to make early inroads into Yorkshire’s stubborn batting order. Hampshire need to plug the 53 point gap in the County Championship table between themselves at the foot of the division and Yorkshire who lie in seventh place having played two games more. 

Click here for a full live scorecard

Having won the toss it was no surprise when visiting captain Andrew Gale decided to bat first in excellent conditions. While the away side stole the early advantage in that respect, the news that Hampshire welcomed back club captain Dominic Cork to the side clearly buoyed them, having been without their mercurial leader since 19 July on compassionate leave.

While he personally remained wicketless throughout the first day, Cork was more than a handful for Yorkshire’s opening pair in a long morning spell with the wind behind him from the Northern End. Indeed, his very first delivery of the innings struck Rudolph on the pads but, despite a prolonged appeal the batsman, survived a decision which, on another day, could have fallen in Hampshire's favour.

However, it was Wood, who was the most impressive paceman. He bowled with precision and movement to restrict Yorkshire and was duly rewarded with the scalp of Joe Sayers (8) in the 14th over (pictured below). The left-hander was pinned back on his crease before edging a loose stroke through to the grateful clutches of wicketkeeper Michael Bates.

His emphatic spell could have brought about more victims but the 21-year-old was unlucky not to taken an outside edge on more occasions.

When Yorkshire’s captain came to the crease and avoided the dangerous Wood, he joined Rudolph to kick start the defining partnership of the day. The experienced duo put on 129 for the second wicket before Gale picked out the perfectly positioned James Vince at midwicket from Tahir’s quicker ball in the 46th over to leave Yorkshire on 149-2.

Despite the loss of his batting partner, Rudolph ploughed on striking eleven fours and one six to skilfully reach 99. Needing just a single to bring up his 43rd first-class ton (and possibly trying to force the issue) he mistimed a slow Tahir delivery and found Cork waiting in the leg-side. After his dismissal, the fourth time he has been out in the ‘nervous nineties’ during his last eight innings, Tahir consoled his good friend and [South African club] Titans team mate before he left the field!

Yorkshire reached the tea interval at 211-3, but Hampshire would have been disappointed to not taken any more wickets in the evening session. Although in truth, a 114 run stand between Anthony McGrath (65*) and young batsman Gary Ballance (50*) allowed Hampshire no respite despite Cork’s ingenuity in the field and bowler rotation.

It means it’s undoubtedly advantage Yorkshire after day one with Hampshire needing quick wickets on day two to make this a contest again. However, that will be no mean feat in conditions which appear to favour the willow.

Words: Stuart Appleby
Images: Barry Zee
 

Day Two Weather Forecast:
Sunny and bright.

Coverage:
Live text commentary is available for this match. Visit Hampshire Cricket’s Facebook and Twitter pages for all the major incidents as they happen. In the case of any disruptions in play, please call The Rose Bowl's Match-Day Information Line on 02380 475 662, which will have all the latest information.

Tickets:
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