County Championship: Shan Masood stars as Yorkshire defeat Worcestershire

Shan Masood’s brilliant 123 gave Yorkshire a happy ending to another difficult season as they chased a final day target of 360 to beat promoted Worcestershire at Headingley and avoid finishing bottom of the County Championship for only the second time in their history.

With the game meandering ahead of day four, both sides opted to contrive a finish, with Yorkshire risking the draw which would lift them off the bottom of Division Two.

As it was, they were able to achieve that by going for broke as captain Masood hit 15 fours in 131 balls.

Worcestershire advanced their second innings from their overnight 18-2, and a lead of 127, to 262-2 declared inside the first 70 minutes of playas Jake Libby benefitted against declaration bowling to finish 109 not out and Jack Haynes unbeaten on 113 in his final innings for the club.

James Wharton was one of those bowlers, but he later helped Masood steer the run chase with three sixes in a fine career best 89 as the third-wicket pair shared 164 either side of tea.

Jonny Tattersall later hit the winning runs to finish 44 not out.

This was just a minor blot on Worcestershire’s copybook having earned promotion on day two, and they should be applauded for their willingness to partake in setting up the game.

Yorkshire lost opener Fin Bean, sharply caught and bowled by Dillon Pennington, for 11 just before lunch.

Pennington, playing his last game for the Pears before moving to Nottinghamshire, prevented 21-year-old Bean from reaching 1,000 Championship runs in an impressive breakthrough year as he fell just 17 short.

But Adam Lyth (51) did reach the milestone, getting the 32 he needed to reach his 1,000 for the season for the fourth time in his career.

He shared 88 either side of lunch with second-wicket partner Masood, only to fall caught at midwicket off a miscue against left-arm spinner Josh Baker.

Captain Masood batted in dreamy fashion, reaching his fifty off 57 balls before tea and his second hundred for the county off 107 balls afterwards.

Yorkshire cruised through the final session. At 237-2, they took the target to 123 from the final 20 overs. By that time, Wharton had reached his fifty off 71 balls.

Baker bowled Wharton and had Masood caught at deep midwicket in quick succession, leaving 81 needed inside 14 overs.

But George Hill (38 not out) and Tattersall (44 not out) maintained the intent and shared an unbroken 84 for the fifth wicket.

For Yorkshire, things worked out well as they avoided finishing bottom for the first time since 1983.

Yorkshire coach Ottis Gibson:

“I’ve got to thank the Worcester boys. We went to them with an idea about trying to create a situation where the game doesn’t peter out like it could have done. They went along with that, we played really well and chased it down.

“There’s been highs and lows throughout the season, but to finish on a high is nice for the players in the dressing but also, I suspect, for the fans as well.

“When we got the 48-point deduction, we sat down and said, ‘Let’s not try and finish on the bottom of the table’. The decision to force some competitive cricket was part of that reason.

“Had Gloucester lost and us drawn, we could have overtaken them. But we wanted to play positive cricket. There’s a lot of satisfaction not finishing bottom of the table, for sure.”

Yorkshire opener Adam Lyth:

“It’s a proud moment for me and a nice little milestone to tick off. But even if I hadn’t get those runs, it would still have been a very good red ball season for me.

“I feel for Beany because he deserved those extra 17 runs. He’s played so well this year. I know he’s disappointed, but when he looks back on it in a few days he has cemented his place in this team and should be very proud of the way he’s played.

“We’ve struck up a nice little partnership at the top of the order. We’ve scored over 2,000 runs together, which is the second highest opening partnership in the county season.

Worcestershire vice-captain Jake Libby:

“We can take that defeat. It’s been a long season, and that was a long day. A few lads are a bit tired. But, ultimately, we’re ecstatic and rightly so after what’s been a fantastic year for us.

“The game was going nowhere, and it made it entertaining. It was a good batting pitch, and fair play to Yorkshire. They batted really well.

“There were negotiations to be had, but it worked out quite well. We weren’t quite on it if we’re being honest, but that’s understandable.

“I’m pleased personally with how my year’s gone (1,153 runs for the season in Championship). I’ve managed to stay consistent.

Report supplied by ECB Reporters’ Network.