County Championship Division I | Centuries from Walter, Cook hand Essex advantage on Day 2

Yorkshire have been left struggling at 81/3 at the end of the day’s play by Essex. They still trail by a mammoth 322 runs and will require the ex-England Test skipper, Joe Root, to help them sail through this delicate position.

Yorkshire’s first wicket fell on 22, with Samuel Cook trapping Adam Lyth in front of the stumps on 10. Sri Lankan red-ball captain Dimuth Karunaratne was joined by George Hill in the middle. The duo put on 54 runs for the second wicket before Hill edged Shane Snater to the keeper.

Essex snared Karunaratne on the last ball of the day on 36, with Cook claiming his second wicket.

Earlier in the day, Paul Walter and nightwatchman Cook played exceedingly well to remain unscathed in the first session. Walter reached his century and continued with his fine form with the bat. The pair stitched 73 runs for the fourth wicket before George Hill bowled Cook on 28.

Cook’s dismissal initiated a collapse that brought panic to the Essex camp. First, Walter got dismissed by Dom Bess on 141. His tremendous effort came off 322 balls and included 18 fours and a six.

Bess took two in two to send back Adam Rossington on a golden duck. Feroze Khushi, Matthew Critchley and Shane Snater walked back without creating much of an impact. Essex had been reduced from 303/4 to 345/9 in no time.

Right when Essex looked to fold out soon, Simon Harmer and Mark Steketee displayed some resistance. The last pair added 58 runs to the team’s total and helped it cross the 400-run mark.

Harmer was the last batter to be dismissed as he became Matthew Revis’ first victim. He scored a significant 54, studded with five boundaries and three sixes. 

Brief scores: 

Yorkshire - 81/3 ( Trail by 322 runs)

Dimuth Karunaratne 36, Samuel Cook 15/2

Essex - 403/10

Paul Walter 141, Sir Alastair Cook 107

Dom Bess 82/3, Jordan Thompson 105/3