Fin Bean scored his maiden first-class hundred as Yorkshire dominated the first day of the County Championship season at home to Leicestershire. Bean’s hundred came from a very respectable 133 balls, and was made courtesy of a delightful uppercut through third man for four. By the close, Bean had struck nineteen boundaries in an eventual 118 as he became the first centurion of 2023, still ten days shy of his 21st birthday. England’s Dawid Malan played an outstanding supporting innings as he closed the day not out with 91 to his name, guiding Bean through an extended period in the nineties to three figures.
Leicestershire missed a chance to dismiss Bean shortly after he raised his century, as the young batsman was dropped at mid-on off Ackermann, but the bowler exacted revenge before the close as he took the catch to dismiss Bean at slip with just under seven overs left in the day. Matt Milnes came in as nightwatchman and did his job, albeit after a nervy start, finishing 5* off 21 balls.
Yorkshire started fast after being inserted as the left-handed pair of Bean and stand-in skipper Adam Lyth started strongly in the morning session. Lyth struck four boundaries in his 21 before falling lbw to hand debutant Josh Hull a first wicket. James Wharton combined with Bean as the pair took Yorkshire through to lunch, before falling to Michael Finan, who was the pick of the Leicestershire bowlers with 2-71, the only man to bowl more than one maiden as Yorkshire rattled along at 4.75 an over. It’s been made clear to the counties that England will pick players who go about their business in the ‘Baz-ball’ mode, and Malan and Bean took to this approach like ducks to water, scoring quickly and safely as Leicestershire let themselves down in the field.
Yorkshire’s return to Division Two could hardly have started better, although there is still the threat of a possible points deduction looming. After several seasons where a lack of first-innings runs first forestalled title challenges and ultimately led to relegation, putting up 285-3 after being inserted, even against the division’s likely whipping-boys, was cathartic. Shorn of Joe Root and Harry Brook by the IPL, missing Shan Masood to international duty and wicketkeepers Bairstow and Tattersall to injury, with no Matt Fisher and led by third- (or fourth-)choice captain Adam Lyth, a poor start would have seen heads drop, especially given the context of Yorkshire’s season.
As it was, the gulf in class between the two sides was evident, and this was by no means Yorkshire’s best team. Even one of England’s winter bright sparks, Rehan Ahmed, suffered as his first over was dispatched for 22. Yorkshire will be delighted by the way their batsmen approached the day, and by the fact of Bean’s first hundred, coming as it did after a substantial rain break while he was in the 80s. They will envision quick runs for the set Dawid Malan and new signing Shai Hope tomorrow to get them up to the 450 they require for five batting bonus points. They will want to maximise their returns from this, on paper their easiest game of the season, with the weather set fair for the duration of the match. Every bonus point will prove crucial in September, especially if points deductions come into play, but Yorkshire could hardly have enjoyed a better start to life in Division Two.
Around the Grounds
County Championship Division One
Hampshire 119-3 vs. Nottinghamshire 185
Surrey 340-7 vs. Lancashire
Essex 162-3 vs. Middlesex
Northamptonshire 89-7 vs. Kent
County Championship Division Two
Glamorgan 4-0 vs. Gloucestershire 165
Derbyshire 300-8 vs. Worcestershire
Durha, 352-7 v. Sussex