Day 1: 3.5 over bowled
Day 2: Cork stays buoyant despite the storms
By Stephen Thorpe at Headingley
Second day of four: Yorkshire 157-2 v Derbyshire
THESE may be early days, but Tykes nationwide are convinced that this might just be the year when the white rose blooms and a realistic challenge is sustained for their first championship in 30 years.
Yorkshire have a well-balanced, varied attack and a sturdy-looking batting line-up, soon to be strengthened by Darren Lehmann, which coped well with Derbyshire's seam offensive yesterday.
A total of 53 overs were lost after a sodden outfield and run-ups again prevented play before 3pm and, while fleeting shafts of sunlight brought some welcome respite, rain clouds were a constant threat. The main sideshow, of course, surrounds the rehabilitation of two erstwhile England spearheads, Dominic Cork and Darren Gough.
Cork, the new Derbyshire captain, who has already emphasised team spirit, rotated the bowlers well and allowed his new-ball partner, Phil DeFreitas, first trundle down the Kirkstall Lane slope, the favourable end for outswing. Cork ran in freely enough, but added three more to an unhealthy ration of 16 no balls recorded in the opening match against Nottinghamshire, and 30 in all yesterday.
A switch of ends for Andrew Harris paid immediate dividends after tea, Michael Vaughan (33) walking across a straight one. Then Anthony McGrath went for 42, smartly picked up by DeFreitas at backward point. Matthew Wood (22 not out) shared an unbroken stand of 61 with his captain, David Byas (21 not out).
Day 3: Byas and Wood steal the show
By Paul Weaver at Headingley
THEY came to Headingley this weekend to watch two fine cricketers make an impression with the England selectors. David Byas and Matthew Wood did not disappoint them. Each scored 103 as they put on 230 for the third wicket against Derbyshire.
Meanwhile, the much-billed head-to-head between Dominic Cork and Darren Gough was a little like Lennox Lewis v Mike Tyson; it struggled to get off the ground, especially one as flat as the Leeds pitch yesterday.
The keenly awaited face-to-face between two outstanding cricketers unsullied by recent and painful experiences in the Caribbean has been something of an anti-climax. Just 3.5 overs were bowled on the opening day and the first half of Friday was also washed out.
Play did start on time yesterday but there was still little cheer for the England selectors, who are hoping to glean some early-season information about the probable fast-bowling attack before they pick their squad for next month's Texaco Trophy series, with the Test series against South Africa and next year's World Cup also under consideration.
Gough had his feet up in the Yorkshire dressing room, at least until Yorkshire declared at 352 for five in mid-afternoon, while Cork must have wondered whether he was competing in the London Marathon as he chugged in to bowl well within himself. Cork, shaping the ball nicely, was wicketless in 18 overs while the spoils were shared between Andy Harris (2), Phil DeFreitas (2) and Paul Aldred.
``It's been a bit of a struggle for the bowlers on this surface,'' Yorkshire secretary Chris Hassell said. ``But in Darren's case, I can only give the selectors good news.
``He ran in very well in our first game against Somerset and we are very pleased for him. It's still early and we need some warmth in the air before we see him really steaming in. But he's building up nicely for the Texaco games.'
Martyn Moxon, Yorkshire's new director of coaching, added: ``Darren is fully fit and was unlucky to have Adrian Rollins dropped in his first over just before tea today.
``He just needs a little more match practice before we see him at his very best.''
Yorkshire started the third day on 157 for two and Wood, who scored 81 on his first-class debut against Lancashire last year and is keeping Darren Lehmann's No 4 batting place very warm indeed, made his maiden first-class century in only his second game.
At lunch, Yorkshire were 280 for two and they did not lose their third wicket until the score had reached 326, when Wood was caught behind by Karl Krikken off the bowling of DeFreitas.
David Lloyd, the England coach, is expected at the ground today to speak to Cork and Gough and assess their fitness at first hand. Chairman of selectors David Graveney has stated that he will be monitoring the progress of the two players closely before the first England squad is named and said: ``At this stage, the signs look very positive.''
Cork and Gough are England's two outstanding match-winning fast bowlers and at 26 and 27 respectively should be at the peak of their careers. Cork has the ability to swing the ball late while Gough is the fastest of the England bowlers now that Devon Malcolm has fallen from favour. He also has a talent for reverse swing and the capability to galvanise the entire side with a stirring spell.
Both players entered international cricket with a thunderclap. Cork made an outstanding start to his Test career, taking seven for 43 against West Indies at Lord's in 1994 and following that with a hat-trick at Old Trafford.
Gough made his impact in Australia three years ago before returning home early with a stress fracture of the left foot. Both bowlers have suffered a sequence of setbacks since those heady days and in the case of Cork, a deeper malaise than injury has tugged at his effectiveness.
His marriage broke up a little more than a year ago and though he toured New Zealand, the captain and manager were disappointed with his attitude and there was even some speculation that he would be sent home.
After being left out of the Caribbean party, he was visited by the chairman of the ECB, Lord MacLaurin, and Graveney.
Cork said: ``Failing to make the England party broke my heart. I've had my problems on and off the field in the past year but now I'm coming back to my best.''
His appointment as captain of Derbyshire appeared bizarre at the time but he captained and bowled well to set up victory in the first match of the season against Nottinghamshire.
Gough did not start bowling until a month ago but he took a hat-trick against Western Province as Yorkshire warmed up for the summer in South Africa. He started the season against Somerset and with his 25th ball dismissed Peter Bowler, his first wicket since July 27. He also struck a cheerful 89, including 13 in one over from Andy Caddick, the man he could replace in the England team.
Yorkshire made the first breakthrough yesterday when Derbyshire had scored 15 and Rollins was lbw. And the bowler was Chris Silverwood, of course. Silverwood also claimed the second wicket to fall when Michael May was also lbw and the third when he bowled Tim Tweats and at tea Derybshire had reached 56 for three.
Day 4: Silverwood puts Yorkshire top
By Stephen Thorpe at Headingley
Yorkshire (352-5dec & 105-0 dec) bt Derbyshire (136-5 dec & 210) by 111 runs
YORKSHIRE went top of the championship after a convincing victory by 111 runs over Derbyshire, who were set a target of 322 in a minimum 91 overs.
Chris Hassell, the Yorkshire chief executive, made representations to the English Cricket Board recently after members complained that the county were being forced to stage two home matches in April, but the objectors will doubtless be in good voice this morning against Worcestershire.
Chris Silverwood spent 2.5 weeks in the indoor school after 39 overs on the England winter tour but has quickly found his range and bowled with verve and pace for match figures of nine for 80.
That Darren Gough and Dominic Cork were upstaged is a minor consequence, and Derbyshire will be more dismayed at losing their last eight wickets for 74 runs.
Though the pitch was still firm and flat, it was difficult to understand Yorkshire's decision to add to their overnight lead of 303, given the slow outfield and showery weather forecast. It hardly seemed to matter, however, when Silverwood continued his sharp form of Saturday, removing Michael May with an outswinger and Tim Tweats off one that bounced a shade more.
The contest was delicately poised at lunch, with Kim Barnett (68) in a rich vein of form and offering solid workmanship in a third-wicket partnership of 110 with Adrian Rollins, who struck 11 fours in an attractive 63.
Rollins's dismissal off a miscued hook was the first wicket for Craig White in a spell of three for two in 10 balls which effectively decided the outcome.
Reverse swing was a factor now and Gough finally claimed the wicket his effort deserved, trapping Karl Krikken in front.