Yorkshire complete record chase
A round-up of all the action from the final day of the latest matches in Division Two
Cricinfo staff
14-May-2005
Yorkshire (17pts) 151 and 406 for 4 (Wood 48, McGrath 165*, Vaughan 53, Harvey 47*) defeated Leicestershire (5pts) 278 and 276 for 9 dec by six wickets
Scorecard
Anthony McGrath's dominant unbeaten 165 helped Yorkshire to chase an unlikely 404 and pull off a dramatic victory against Leicestershire at Grace Road with six wickets to spare. In completing their mission improbable, Yorkshire posted their highest-ever fourth-innings score to win a match. It also gave them their third win in four matches. A confident Leicestershire had declared on the third day at 267 for 9, but an opening stand of 94 between Matthew Wood and Phil Jaques set up what was, in the end, a comfortable win. The openers fell within six runs of each other, but McGrath went on to add 84 with Michael Vaughan for the third wicket and 133 with Ian Harvey for the fourth as Yorkshire coasted home in style. McGrath's epic innings came from just 218 balls and included 20 fours.
Scorecard
Anthony McGrath's dominant unbeaten 165 helped Yorkshire to chase an unlikely 404 and pull off a dramatic victory against Leicestershire at Grace Road with six wickets to spare. In completing their mission improbable, Yorkshire posted their highest-ever fourth-innings score to win a match. It also gave them their third win in four matches. A confident Leicestershire had declared on the third day at 267 for 9, but an opening stand of 94 between Matthew Wood and Phil Jaques set up what was, in the end, a comfortable win. The openers fell within six runs of each other, but McGrath went on to add 84 with Michael Vaughan for the third wicket and 133 with Ian Harvey for the fourth as Yorkshire coasted home in style. McGrath's epic innings came from just 218 balls and included 20 fours.
Worcestershire (22pts) 478 and 100 for 1 (Hick 62*) beat Derbyshire (9pts) 263 and 314 by nine wickets
Scorecard
Graeme Hick launched a boundary blitz on the Derbyshire attack to speed Worcestershire to their target in less than 17 overs on the final morning. Hick blasted 62 from 48 balls with 13 fours, adding 96 with Stephen Moore as Worcestershire, claimed a full-points victory. Ian Hunter dismissed Stephen Peters early but that was the lone success for Derbyshire as their miserable start to the season continues. Reducing Worcestershire to 151 for six on the first day will now be a distant memory. It is difficult to see anything other than more struggles ahead unless the batsmen can build significant innings and give their attack something to bowl at.
Scorecard
Graeme Hick launched a boundary blitz on the Derbyshire attack to speed Worcestershire to their target in less than 17 overs on the final morning. Hick blasted 62 from 48 balls with 13 fours, adding 96 with Stephen Moore as Worcestershire, claimed a full-points victory. Ian Hunter dismissed Stephen Peters early but that was the lone success for Derbyshire as their miserable start to the season continues. Reducing Worcestershire to 151 for six on the first day will now be a distant memory. It is difficult to see anything other than more struggles ahead unless the batsmen can build significant innings and give their attack something to bowl at.
Essex (6pts) 178 and 495 for 6 (Cook 195, A Flower 142*, Phillips 3-44) drew with Northamptonshire (12pts) 552 for 7 dec
Scorecard
A career-best 195 from Alastair Cook and an unbeaten 142 from Andy Flower guided Essex to a draw against Northants. Cook further enhanced his blossoming reputation with his eight-and-a-half hour innings, striking 27 fours, before he was caught by Martin Love off Ben Phillips. When Ronnie Irani fell quickly Northants still had hopes of running through the lower-order. But James Foster provided solid support as Flower remained steadfast. Flower's century took 209 balls, so his last 42 runs took 121 deliveries, but his job was to save the match for Essex. They had been completely outplayed over the first two days but showed admirable fight qualities and will be stronger when Darren Gough and Alex Tudor return. Northants will feel they missed an opportunity, but the pitch was very good for batting, and although the bowling attack persevered it did not have the strike power to dismiss Essex twice.
Scorecard
A career-best 195 from Alastair Cook and an unbeaten 142 from Andy Flower guided Essex to a draw against Northants. Cook further enhanced his blossoming reputation with his eight-and-a-half hour innings, striking 27 fours, before he was caught by Martin Love off Ben Phillips. When Ronnie Irani fell quickly Northants still had hopes of running through the lower-order. But James Foster provided solid support as Flower remained steadfast. Flower's century took 209 balls, so his last 42 runs took 121 deliveries, but his job was to save the match for Essex. They had been completely outplayed over the first two days but showed admirable fight qualities and will be stronger when Darren Gough and Alex Tudor return. Northants will feel they missed an opportunity, but the pitch was very good for batting, and although the bowling attack persevered it did not have the strike power to dismiss Essex twice.