Bairstow Leads Yorkshire's Charge

Jonny Bairstow marked his return to form with a century, his first in over two years, as Yorkshire dominated the opening day of their County Championship promotion clash against Middlesex at Headingley.

Bairstow, 34, who has recently faced a dip in form and was dropped from all England squads, demonstrated his resilience by scoring an unbeaten 107 off 130 balls. His innings anchored Yorkshire’s total of 372 for 5 in 96 overs, with support from Adam Lyth and George Hill, who both contributed half-centuries. Luke Hollman was the standout bowler for Middlesex, taking 3 for 99 with his leg-spin.

Yorkshire entered this match in third place in Division Two, just three points behind second-placed Middlesex. Middlesex, having won the reverse fixture at Lord’s in April, knew that another victory would strengthen their chances of promotion. However, they now face an uphill battle after Yorkshire’s strong start.

Bairstow, known for thriving under pressure, was challenged by England selector Luke Wright to regain his best form after being omitted from the ODI and T20I squads for the Australia series. This century was his first in first-class cricket since his twin tons against India at Edgbaston in 2022 and his first for Yorkshire since May 2016.

Yorkshire began solidly, with debutant Noah Cornwell and Toby Roland-Jones facing early pressure. Lyth and Fin Bean shared a 68-run partnership inside 16 overs, regularly finding the boundary. Bean was dismissed for 27, bowled by Henry Brookes, and Lyth followed after scoring 61, trapped lbw by Hollman’s leg-spin, leaving Yorkshire at 105 for 2 after 26 overs.

The pitch, despite being used during the Hundred, played well for the batters. After lunch, Luxton and Wharton hit Hollman for sixes, but Middlesex tightened their bowling with the older Kookaburra ball. This resulted in Hollman dismissing both Wharton, caught at slip for 40, and Luxton, who was caught at short midwicket, leaving Yorkshire at 185 for 4.

Bairstow then formed a 57-run partnership with captain Jonny Tattersall, taking Yorkshire to 240 for 4 at tea. Bairstow, though measured, executed a powerful pull shot off Brookes for six. However, the stand was broken in the evening session when Tattersall was caught for 26 after top-edging a sweep against Leus du Plooy’s left-arm spin.

Bairstow continued his innings, reaching his fifty off 63 balls and forging another half-century stand with Hill, who also found form and hit a six off du Plooy. Bairstow then began to showcase his aggressive batting, cutting Hollman for four and driving him for another boundary in the 74th over, pushing the score to 283 for 5.

Hill, who has also struggled with the bat recently, looked in fine touch as he reached 58 not out, sharing an unbroken 130-run partnership with Bairstow. Bairstow, after pulling Roland-Jones for his second six, reached his century off 122 balls and celebrated by acknowledging the home dressing room.