Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Bowling coach Mick Lewis praised five-wicket seamer George Hill.
Bowling coach Mick Lewis hailed George Hill’s ability to problem solve as he claimed an excellent five-wicket haul during an action-packed day one against Hampshire at Headingley.
Hill was tormentor in chief with 5-46 from 13.1 overs as Yorkshire bowled the inserted visitors out for 251 just after tea, though unfortunately the wickets did not stop falling as the reply closed on 48-4 thanks to three wickets in an over for another seamer in Sonny Baker.
Australian Lewis also praised the typically miserly – and skilful – Ben Coad, who chipped in with 2-47 from 19 overs.
Overseas quick Jhye Richardson struck once in addition to captain Dom Bess and Jack White doing likewise.
Jake Lehmann was Hampshire’s standout player with 76 off 93 balls.
“It all started well,” said Australian Lewis. “That first session was excellent. I don’t know how many play misses we had.
“We managed to get ourselves in front of the game, but they got back on a parity. Then we went bang, bang again and got ourselves back ahead.
“They could have easily – the way they’re going at one stage – got 300 plus today. But if you’d have said we would bowl them out for 250 at the start of the day, I would have taken that.”
Lewis continued: “I think the first session was excellent, we held our line, we held our length, had a lot of play and misses, created a couple of chances.
“Then, I think, after lunch we went away from what worked for us in the first session.
“Probably the next hour, 15 wasn’t ideal – a lot of cut shots, a lot of drives.
“But the half-hour to 40 minutes before tea, we got back to what we were really good at.
“Today was ok, but it could have been better.”
On Hill’s performance, Lewis said: “I thought George was a little bit floaty in his first spell, like he was at Cardiff last week. He didn’t really run in with much purpose.
“But once he got the first wicket, he started running in a bit more with more purpose.
“Being the class player he is, he figured out the problem and fought back hard.”
Lewis continued: “Coady was excellent today as well.
“Great control of the rate, he controlled his length and got a lot of plays and misses.
“He’s been working on a few things in the winter out in Melbourne with me, and it’s actually quite pleasing to see it actually paying off for him – a bit more pace and balance.”
On debutant Richardson’s performance – 1-51 from 12 overs – Lewis added: “Jhye’s first spell was excellent, I thought.
“I don’t think he’s played a game since about March 21, so I think a game like today – that first innings – will do him a world of good.
“He bowled beautifully in training, and sometimes it can just take a decent spell to get you going.
“I think he’ll be better for it. Headingley is quite a unique ground to bowl on, so I think he will learn a lot from today.”