Simon Katich 143* is highlight of another Hampshire recovery.

Simon Katich recorded his highest Hampshire score so far whe he batted quite brilliantly for 143 not out whilst carnage was abound around him

Vic Isaacs

24-Jul-2003

Katich sets off for his 100

Resuming at 326 for 5, Yorkshire struggled against some tight bowling to reach the 400 mark and the maximum batting points. Simon Guy was superbly taken by Iain Brunnschweiler off Chris Tremlett in the first over of the day, then Shaun Udal had Yuvraj Singh caught at deep mid wicket, trapped Gray lbw and had Steve Kirby well caught by Jimmy Adams. In the meantime James Bruce dismissed Ryan Sidebottom forcing him early on the drive. Four wicket tumbled for just 4 runs.

In the first over Derek Kenway was bowled when the ball trickled off his pads onto his stumps (2-1), James Adams followed when he edged Chris Silverwood to slip (4-2), the John Crawley not enjoying the best form of late then edged the swift Steve Kirby to the wicket-keeper (7-3).

John Francis joined Simon Katich in a an 89 run stand dominated by the Aussie and the help of an abundance of no balls from the Yorkshire bowlers, Francis went for a patient nine, and James Hamblin first ball fell to Chris Silverwood, Dimitri Mascarenhas edged Sidebotton to slip and suddenly at 107-6 the visitors were looking at another follow on.

What was needed at one end was support for Simon Katich, and the lower order batsmen responded magnificently. First Shaun Udal scoring 26 put on 52 for the seventh wicket, Iain Brunnschweiler playing in his first Championship match put on 73 taking Hamppshire to with three runs of saving the follow on. Chris Tremlett then joined his team mate in another half-century stand, and Yorkshire's first innings lead of 95 was far less than the seaside spectators had been envisaging earlier in the day. A return of 52 extras conceded by Yorkshire also helped Hampshire's cause, 43 of them in no-balls.

Simon Katich played some magnificent shots around the ground, his 142 not out took him 194 balls in which he struck 20 fours and a hugh straight six, his second first-class century of the season and his seventeenth overall.

There was time for just 10 overs as Yorkshire started their second innings.

Incessant rain throughout the 3rd day curtailed any possibility of play.