Burns stifles Yorkshire's spirits

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In the early afternoon, after Ryan Sidebottom had taken 3 for 0 in 11 balls, Yorkshire's hopes of an inspiring victory were high. Two hours later after Leicestershire's old guard had savaged a green and wilting attack, the mood sank to glum acceptance of relegation.

If the weather permits, this match should end in a result. Yorkshire were 134 ahead last night after losing Matthew Elliott but Leicestershire will have been heartened by the ease with which they compiled runs yesterday. Only Sidebottom, who finished with 5 for 60, has, of the bowlers, more than two seasons in first-class cricket. Vic Craven, the acting third seamer, appearing after the 29th over, began with his third over of the summer. This inexperience was reflected in the time consumed in setting the field and in the air of indecision that settled as Neil Burns and Javagal Srinath rescued the Foxes with an eighth-wicket stand of 93 and 21 overs.

The ball, even with a change of wind to a stiff westerly, still swung extraordinarily but the spinners, encouraged on the first day, found neither extra turn nor bounce, Yorkshire's second off-spinner Andy Gray getting only six overs. Richard Dawson attacked with persistence but none of the three edges he induced went to hand. Dawson broke through first, the left-hander Iain Sutcliffe falling at slip, while Craven, who bowls little wobblers à la McGrath, claimed Darren Maddy at the same score, 152 behind. With Vince Wells also trapped, by the zealous Steve Kirby, Leicestershire lunched on 135 for 4.

Sidebottom, hair streaming, came in non-stop from the Trafalgar Square End, first bowling Darren Stevens and then dismissing Ashley Wright at first slip and Philip DeFreitas with successive balls. Burns first, then Srinath, appeared with a special air of men who have seen it all before, many times.

They saw off Sidebottom and four other bowlers before Ryan returned for his 18th over of the day and with his second ball beat Burns, who had begun to appear invulnerable. Srinath swung three sixes towards cow-shot corner before Kirby's persistence ended the resistance.

Craven scored an attractive 40 in 13 overs before Elliott and Craig White doubled the score, Richard Stemp taking a notable first scalp for Leicestershire when he bowled Elliott. White remained in ominous form. One drinks interval took nine minutes: is this a record?