Yorkshire Secure Promotion with Impressive Display Against Northamptonshire
Middlesex’s 271-run display at Hove paved the way for Yorkshire to seal their return to the top flight, as the county side surpassed 350 runs against Northamptonshire at Headingley.
In the final round fixture of the Vitality County Championship, Yorkshire required a maximum of 10 points to secure second place ahead of Middlesex, who had missed out on crucial bonus points in their match against leaders Sussex.
Yorkshire’s new-ball seamers Ben Coad and Matthew Fisher spearheaded the dismissal of Northamptonshire for 147 before the lunch interval. Coad finished with 4 wickets, while Fisher claimed 3 scalps in his final appearance for the Yorkshire side.
The home team then amassed 371/2 in their first innings, led by scintillating centuries from Adam Lyth (147) and James Wharton (162*). The duo’s 260-run partnership for the second wicket set a new Yorkshire record against Northamptonshire.
As Yorkshire’s total reached 350, they secured promotion back to Division One, alongside Sussex who have already clinched the Division Two title. Lyth’s impressive performance saw him surpass the career runs tally of former Yorkshire stalwart Anthony McGrath.
With the light fading in the final session, Wharton remained unbeaten on 162 off 234 balls, including two sixes, sharing an unbroken 96-run stand with Will Luxton (37*) as Yorkshire closed the day with a commanding lead of 224 runs.
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