Jack Brooks continued his outstanding Headingley record to deny Lancashire’s hopes of exploiting Yorkshire’s injury-hit attack during an absorbing second day of the Roses match.
The former England Lions seamer took his tally of LV= County Championship wickets for the season to 26 by claiming 5-90 as Lancashire were dismissed for 325, despite Ryan Sidebottom being forced out of the attack after lunch with a suspected left hamstring strain.
Sidebottom is unlikely to bowl again in this match and must be doubtful for this weekend’s trip to face Northamptonshire, and may be sent for a scan tomorrow if he does not respond to ice treatment.
But in his absence, Brooks stepped up to claim his second five-wicket haul of the season at HQ and claim 20 wickets in only three matches - statistics that at the very least should earn him a mention in England’s selection meetings.
Brooks, though, remains committed to Yorkshire and insists he has not considered international cricket, saying: “When England were the best team, I didn’t get a sniff and I am nowhere near the set-up at the minute.
“For me just to get talked about playing for England is fantastic from where I was a few years ago, and I still haven’t been in the game a lot, but I don’t want to let it get into my head too much.”
Resuming the second morning on 87-2, Lancashire looked in danger of posting a daunting first- innings total, only for Brooks to bowl Paul Horton for 66 when he offered no shot, a wicket that was the catalyst for them slipping to 178-5 at lunch.
Once Sidebottom failed to appear, it was key that someone stepped up in his absence, and Brooks responded by bowling Glen Chapple, ending a 68-run seventh-wicket stand with Tom Smith with the fourth over of the new ball.
He also bowled Smith, playing on attempting a late cut, while Liam Plunkett wrapped up Lancashire’s innings to finish with 4-74 in front of national selector James Whitaker.
Yorkshire advanced without alarm to 29 without loss when rain halted play with 8.5 overs remaining and the Roses match once again finely balanced.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here