Captain Steve Patterson felt Yorkshire’s victory over Hampshire was made all the sweeter due to the conditions at the Ageas Bowl.
Yorkshire sealed their first win of the new County Championship season in emphatic fashion, prevailing by an innings and 44 runs.
Winning the toss proved key for Patterson’s side, as they opted to bat on what was an extremely slow pitch, a decision that proved particularly shrewd, as they declared on 554-7, with Gary Ballance top scoring with 148, while he was ably assisted by England captain Joe Root, who fell six runs short of his century.
On a pitch that favoured batting, it was going to be a tough ask for Yorkshire to force Hampshire to follow on, but that is exactly what happened when the hosts were bowled out for 302.
Things got even worse for Hampshire during their second innings, as they resumed day four on 54-5 and they then preceded to lose a further three wickets for just four runs.
Liam Dawson (92) and Keith Barker (64) did at least take the match beyond lunch with a ninth-wicket stand of 131, but Hampshire were eventually put out of their misery when they were bowled out for 208.
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Patterson was the pick of the Yorkshire bowlers, ending the match with figures of 6-83, but he was quick to point out the work the entire team put in to seal what was a comprehensive win. “We knew coming into the game it would be hard work on a good surface,” Patterson was quoted as saying by the Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
“Everybody’s contributed, which is all you can ask for. The attitude has been superb, and we are delighted to win.”
