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County Championship: Jonny Bairstow back as bowlers on top at HeadingleyBreaking

May 05, 2023

Jonny Bairstow claimed three catches behind the stumps, one a spectacular diving effort, as Yorkshire dismissed Glamorgan for 245. The England player initially enjoyed his return to action courtesy of the home seamers, with three wickets each for Mickey Edwards and George Hill. His Ashes rival, Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne top-scored with 65 before Glamorgan fell away. But Yorkshire crashed to 62-5 with Bairstow not out overnight. Australian international Michael Neser, a stand-by for international duties, and Timm van der Gugten caused chaos in the closing stages. Where does Bairstow fit in on return? Pick your England team for first Ashes Test

Labuschagne showed his ability to bat grittily in overcast UK conditions in an Ashes summer, but giant Australian seamer Edwards, playing on a UK passport, and young all-rounder Hill enjoyed the chance to bowl first. Ben Coad limped off in the afternoon with a groin strain, but he had already had Glamorgan on the back foot straight away as he induced David Lloyd to drive at a wide ball in the first over to present Bairstow with a simple chance. Andrew Salter, an emergency opener after Eddie Byrom's late withdrawal with a back spasm, soon fell leg-before to Coad.

Labuschagne was almost strokeless for the rest of the session, reaching lunch on 19, though Bairstow appeared convinced he had been caught behind on 10. Sam Northeast, dropped at slip on nine, provided the scoreboard impetus as he hit nine boundaries in his 49 before being caught at slip off Mickey Edwards in the over after lunch. Despite Coad's absence from the attack, the other seamers, Hill, Edwards and Jordan Thompson, continued to make headway through the afternoon. Kiran Carlson's inside edge on 16 allowed Bairstow the chance to demonstrate his agility following an eight-month absence after breaking his leg, with a full-length effort changing direction. Labuschagne was gradually moving through the gears, facing 166 balls and hitting 10 fours, before Hill had him offering a routine catch to Bairstow. Billy Root flourished briefly before being caught at point for 24 off Edwards as Yorkshire packed that area behind square on the off-side.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP