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Cricket is a funny game that can be cruel at times. Batsmen can lose their wickets without being at fault. The same happened with Yorkshire batter Will Fraine in his team’s game against Hampshire in County Championship Div 1. Although he was not completely innocent, the dismissal was a bit unfortunate. But it was not all fortune that brought that wicket for Hampshire it was Keith Barker’s presence of mind as well.
The 35-year-old showed some fine game awareness as he ran Frain out while he was casually outside his crease. Barker who was bowling to George Hill got his hands to a straight drive from the batter and deflected it towards the stumps at the non-striker’s end where Will Frain was outside his crease. The ball hit the stumps and Frain walked out with a disappointed face after being adjudged out. Barker celebrated the wicket aggressively as he pointed towards the batter with his both hands which also confirmed that the deflection from Barker was deliberate.
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Yorkshire score big
Although Yorkshire lost a couple of early wickets, the Steve Patterson-led side scored big in their first innings. On the back of a fine hundred from George Hill and half-centuries from Harry Brook and Dominic Bess, Yorkshire got to 428/10 in their first innings. While Hill scored a fighting 131 off 257 balls, Brook and Bess scored 76 (95) and 51* (84) respectively. Other batters like Matthew Waite (41 off 82), Harry Duke (27 off 28), and Jordan Thompson (23 off 33) also chipped in.
For Hampshire, Brad Wheal was the best bowler with his 4-wicket haul. Wheal completely blew away the tail of Yorkshire as he dismissed their last four batters. He got Jordan Thompson, Matthew Revis, Dominic Drakes, and Steve Patterson. Meanwhile, Kyle Abbott, Keith Barker, and James Fuller took a wicket each. Ian Holland chipped in with a brace.