Worcestershire were left to reflect on a day of missed opportunities and a damaging post-lunch collapse as Yorkshire seized control of proceedings on Day Two of the Rothesay County Championship fixture at Headingley.
After an excellent start with the bat, reaching 90 without loss, the Pears slipped to 136 for 8 by tea and were eventually dismissed for 162, handing the hosts a first-innings lead of 294. Yorkshire chose not to enforce the follow-on and extended their advantage to 355 by the close, finishing on 61 for 1 in their second innings.
It was a day that began with promise, saw periods of real encouragement, but ultimately tilted decisively in favour of the hosts as the game heads into its third day.
Resuming on 425 for 8, Yorkshire were kept in check early on by the Worcestershire seamers, with Ben Allison continuing his impressive campaign by taking two of the final three wickets to finish with figures of 3 for 61.
The Pears were eyeing a quick finish to the innings, but Jordan Thompson frustrated those hopes with a swashbuckling 70 from 75 balls, adding 75 valuable runs for the ninth wicket alongside Ben Coad (31). Thompson struck two sixes in an over off Tom Taylor – one pulled and one audaciously reverse scooped over the keeper, as the hosts reached maximum batting bonus points at 450.
Allison eventually had Coad caught behind and Thompson held superbly on the deep square-leg boundary by substitute fielder Rob Jones, ending the innings with Yorkshire on 456 all out and Worcestershire securing their third bowling point.
In reply, Worcestershire got off to an ideal start with the bat. Jake Libby and Gareth Roderick played with discipline and calm authority against the new ball, taking the score to 90 without loss shortly after lunch.
Both players looked in excellent touch, Libby, in particular, driving fluently down the ground, as they blunted Yorkshire’s opening attack on a surface offering pace and carry but good value for application.
It was a partnership that suggested Worcestershire were in a strong position to build a substantial reply.
However, what followed was a damaging collapse that changed the complexion of the match. Eight wickets fell for just 46 runs in the space of 25 overs, triggered by the introduction of Yorkshire seamer Jack White, who found the edge of Roderick’s bat and saw Adam Lyth take a sharp catch at second slip.
Thompson then had Kashif Ali play on to his stumps, before Coad removed Libby for a well-made 53, again via a catch by Lyth. At 101 for 3, Worcestershire were still in reasonable shape, but from there, the innings unravelled rapidly.
Matthew Waite, who had been the match-saving hero at Taunton last week, fell for just one against his former county, edging to slip. Thompson and Coad maintained relentless pressure and impressive control, supported by a Yorkshire cordon that held seven catches behind the stumps, five in the slips and two by Jonny Bairstow.
Ethan Brookes provided some resistance with a lively 19 after tea before mistiming a drive to mid-on, while Jacob Duffy, on Championship debut, edged Coad behind to end the innings at 162 all out.
Captain Brett D’Oliveira, who had suffered a dislocated thumb while diving for a catch in the outfield earlier in the day, was unable to bat in his regular position at No.6 and came in at eight. Clearly in some discomfort, he was bowled for four by White, another blow in a difficult afternoon for the Pears.
Yorkshire opted against the follow-on and returned to the middle for the final 19 overs of the day. There was a reward for persistence as Allison struck again, removing Fin Bean for 14 as he chopped onto his stumps.
But Lyth remained unbeaten on 32 and will resume on Day Three alongside nightwatchman Bess with the score at 61 for 1 and the lead extended to 355 runs.
