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CC2: McGrath prospers for tykes

Wednesday, June 9 2004

Durham v Yorkshire, Chester-le-Street
McGrath ton holds Shoaib Akhtar at bay

A day which saw Anthony McGrath standing firm for over five hours ended with Yorkshire well in charge of this, the most northern derby in the county championship.

Yorkshire won the toss and elected to bat, with Matthew Wood and Phil Jaques holding firm against the pace of Shoaib Akhtar and Neil Killeen. It was first change Mark Davies who made the initial breakthrough for Durham following a helter-skelter opening stand of 79 in an hour, having Jaques caught by Shoaib for 36.

Wood went shortly afterwards to the bowling of Shoaib, caught by Muchall for a fine 55, and Durham had an end open at which they chipped away all day. McGrath, though, was immovable for the most part. Playing the sheet-anchor role, he remained steadfast despite all the home side's best efforts to remove him.

A half-century partnership with Michael Lumb (28) and one of similar duration with the redoubtable vastly experienced Craig White (27) steered Yorkshire to the relatively calm waters of 250-4, but then the gentle Breese gave way to the new ball and the hurricane which is Shoaib Akhtar blew the tykes well and truly on to the rocks.

The last six wickets tumbled for 81 with McGrath last man out for a sterling 126, his first century of an unusually disappointing season, an innings which contained 15 boundaries and two sixes as Yorkshire amassed a useful 331.

There was just time for four overs of the Durham reply. Marcus North (1), taking some time to find his feet this season, was caught by McGrath off the bowling of Steven Kirby, then night-watchman Neil Killeen (2) fell to Richard Dawson, used for the final over before stumps as Durham limped to 15-2.

Yorkshire 331
McGrath 126, Wood 55, Shoaib Akhtar 4-64
Durham 15-2
Lewis 5*


Posted by Eddie