County Championship: Finch helps Yorkshire set imposing target
Last updated on .From the section Counties
| LV= County Championship Division One, Edgbaston (close, day three) |
| Yorkshire 213 & 289-7 dec: Rhodes 79, Finch 73 not out; Hannon-Dalby 3-80 |
| Warwickshire 69 & 43-1: Trott 25 not out, Westwood 17 not out, Sidebottom 1-12 |
| Warwickshire need 391 more runs to win |
| Yorkshire 4 pts, Warwickshire 3 pts |
| Match scorecard |
Aaron Finch put Yorkshire in a commanding position as they set Warwickshire 434 to win at Edgbaston.
The Australian's unbeaten 73 included two sixes and five boundaries as the visitors declared at 289-7.
Earlier, Will Rhodes (79) made his highest first-class score as Yorkshire advanced their first-innings lead.
Varun Chopra registered a pair in the match as he was again dismissed by Ryan Sidebottom (1-12) for a duck, with the home side reaching 43-1 at stumps.
| Keeper problems for the Bears |
|---|
| Warwickshire have used three wicketkeepers in the match. Tim Ambrose was unable to play because of stomach cramps, forcing the Bears to turn to reserve Pete McKay. |
| McKay did not keep wicket on Monday after aggravating a finger injury so Freddie Coleman was called in, and fit-again Ambrose substituted behind the stumps on Tuesday. |
| McKay has been passed fit to bat in Warwickshire's second innings. |
Resuming on 125-1, Yorkshire lost Jack Leaning (46) early as he edged Boyd Rankin (1-54) behind.
A quick-fire fifty partnership between Finch, promoted to number four, and Rhodes further put the Warwickshire bowlers on the back foot.
Despite losing two quick wickets Finch continued in an aggressive fashion, bringing up his half-century from just 54 balls.
He was well supported by Jonny Bairstow (23), who struck Oliver Hannon-Dalby (3-80) for two sixes before being caught in the covers.
Yorkshire's lower order provided some brief cameos, with Finch continuing his big hitting until the declaration came.
Warwickshire's reply started badly as Chopra fell to the fourth ball of the innings, again to Sidebottom, before Jonathan Trott (25 not out) and Ian Westwood (17no) saw the day out.
Warwickshire seam bowler Oliver Hannon-Dalby:
"The spell from Ryan Sidebottom on the second day was unbelievable and put us behind the eight-ball.
"I don't think it's a bad pitch for batting. For the bowlers, it's a new-ball pitch I think. Once you get past the new ball the ball goes a bit soft and it is quite hard work for bowlers.
"Ian Westwood and Jonathan Trott played it really well in the last hour so if we can start well again tomorrow that will stand us in good stead.
"I was pleased to get some wickets. I've been really enjoying playing in the T20 but I want to play in all formats so have just got to take this chance and try to nail down a place in the Championship team as well."
Yorkshire batsmen Aaron Finch:
"It is always a bit Catch-22 with declarations. If they are nine down at the end tomorrow we will be cursing, but I think Galey (Andrew Gale) got it spot on.
"We have given ourselves 110 overs to create 10 chances which we should be able to do. One or two balls are keeping low, but it will be a matter of staying patient because things can happen quickly.
"We have got to be patient because I think it's the sort of pitch where wickets fall in clusters so we have just got to maintain some pressure.
"It was nice for me to spend some time in the middle. I haven't made many runs after quite a long lay-off so it was good to get up the order and score a few."
