LONDON: A Yorkshire side coached by former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie won England’s County Championship title for the first time in 13 years after a crushing innings and 152-run win away to nearest pursuers Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge on Friday.
Left-arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom, the sole survivor from the last time Yorkshire won the County Championship –– English cricket’s first-class domestic competition –– had a match to remember.
Sidebottom took six for 30 and finished with nine wickets in the match as Yorkshire dismissed Nottinghamshire for 177 in their second innings.
Victory saw Yorkshire extend their record for most Championship titles to 32 and was particularly sweet for the 36-year-old Sidebottom, who twice won the competition in his seven years with Nottinghamshire before returning to his native county.
Gillespie’s involvement meant Australians had played roles in both Yorkshire’s two most recent Championship wins, with Darren Lehmamn –– now Australia’s coach –– starring as a batsman in the White Rose’s 2001 triumph.
Nottinghamshire resumed on 149 for five on Friday’s final day of four in this First Division clash.
But Sidebottom was soon enjoying fresh success against his former side, with two wickets in as many overs.
He swung one past Gary Keedy to clean bowl the nightwatchman and then had Nottinghamshire captain Chris Read –– like Sidebottom a former England international –– caught behind after an excellent delivery nipped off the pitch.
Luke Fletcher briefly kept Yorkshire at bay before he too fell to Sidebottom when edging to second slip.
As James Taylor (75) looked on from the other end, stand-in captain Joe Root –– leading Yorkshire in place of the suspended Andrew Gale –– saw his decision to bring on Adil Rashid in place of Jack Brooks rewarded when the leg-spinner had Jake Ball lbw.
He and Yorkshire then had to wait another half-hour for their next step to glory, Luke Fletcher pushing forward and edging compliantly to second slip.
Sidebottom, just over an hour into the day’s play, wrapped up the match and the title when Taylor drove him on the up to point.
Taylor’s exit meant Sidebottom had taken four wickets for six runs in 7.2 overs.
Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2014
