Latest Match Report – Yorkshire vs WORCS 2023

Yorkshire 154 0 (Lyth 77*, Bean 69*) vs Worcestershire

The duo put on an unbroken 154 in 33.3 overs after being put into bat in conditions that looked conducive to seam bowling.

Lyth and Bean cashed in bowling and also benefited from three dropped catches.

It was Yorkshire’s best start to an innings since Shaun Marsh and Tom Kohler-Cadmore put on 162 against Surrey at The Oval in 2017.

Rain hampered play after 2pm for three-and-a-quarter hours and there was just time to add 12 runs in 3.1 overs before bad light ended.

Lyth resumes tomorrow with 77 from 108 balls hitting 15 boundaries with Bean’s 69 not out from 97 deliveries with 10 fours.

Dom Bess was named in the Tykes squad for this game but has been re-signed for Somerset on a short-term loan.

Worcestershire were without skipper Brett D’Oliveira due to the birth of his second child, but Jack Haynes returned after missing the previous Championship game against Derbyshire with a knee injury.

Apart from a couple of early edges, Lyth and Bean scored freely against a Kookaburra ball that will be tested again in this round of championship matches.

The pair showed plenty of aggressive will and also got too many ‘fours’ balls, with the half-century stand coming in just 11.2 overs.

But they also got a helping hand from the Worcestershire fielders as three catches were spread in quick succession.

Bean survived the opportunity on 28 and then on 41 was caught at first slip by Matthew Waite.

Former Yorkshire all-rounder Waite, who signed a three-year deal at New Road last winter, was the pick of the home attack.

He suffered more frustration as another opportunity went begging for Lyth on 41, bowled at second slip.

To rub salt in his wound, Lyth smashed the next ball through covers for four to complete 13,000 first-class runs.

Bean’s first half-century – off 67 balls – when he lifted Joe Leach over the well for his ninth boundary and Lyth away drove the same bowler for a 10th four to complete his 75-ball fifty.

Yorkshire plundered 132 runs in 27 overs in the morning session, but the elements allowed only two short periods of play after that.