Freddie Heldreich led Northamptonshire 2XI with an unbeaten 48 in a rain-affected Day One against Yorkshire 2XI as they closed on 206-4.
After losing the toss and being sent into bat in Leeds, Gus Miller and Arush Buchake led Northamptonshire well in the morning session. The pair put on a gritty opening stand of 84 in tricky conditions before a sharp delivery from Taylor found Buchake’s edge on its way through to the keeper to remove Northamptonshire’s opener.
A minor collapse before lunch then turned the session in the home side’s favour with Northamptonshire reduced from 84-0 to 84-3 after Buchake’s dismissal. Sylvester did for Miller after a well-made 43, removing his off stump, before promising middle-order batter, Aadi Sharma, fell for a second-ball duck, flicking Sylvester to mid-wicket in the final over before lunch.
With rain forecast throughout the day, Yorkshire managed just one over after the break before the showers arrived with the players forced to leave the field with new batters, George Bartlett and Freddie Heldreich both unbeaten on 3.
Once the rain eventually departed into the afternoon, Heldreich and Bartlett grew their partnership, adding 65 for the fourth wicket, stifling a young Yorkshire attack under brooding skies.
Their stand became all the more impressive with the pair negotiating a stuttering afternoon’s cricket thanks to frequent passing showers before Bartlett was removed in the final over before tea, caught pulling to mid-wicket for 19 off the impressive Sylvester who finished the day 3-47.
A longer evening session, eventually concluding at 7pm, saw Alex Corbett play a crucial role as he added 57 in an unbroken stand with Heldreich, who will come back tomorrow two short of his half-century.
Northamptonshire will bat tomorrow hoping to make the most of what looks like better batting conditions and put on a big first innings score.
To follow the match over the four days, click here