Gough injury scare in Yorkshire defeat

10:34pm Wednesday 16th July 2008

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Yorkshire captain Darren Gough could only bowl two balls before injuring himself against Essex, as his side were comprehensively beaten by five wickets in their opening Pro40 match at Chelmsford.

Gough limped off the field after just 11 overs of the home side’s run chase – although he did return to the action and isn’t expected to be in danger of missing any games.

On the pitch, Yorkshire’s poor performance with the bat was once more their downfall, as they struggled to cope with the Essex attack to make it four defeats in a row.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, a much-needed opening stand was in order to boost confidence, but once more they couldn’t produce it.

It only took five balls for the home side to make the breakthrough, Graham Napier taking the wicket of Andrew Gale for just one – setting the tone for a long evening in the Essex sunshine.

Yorkshire were soon two down, Gerard Brophy being trapped lbw after trying to play across the line with only six runs on the board.

In fact, apart from Rana Naved – who was promoted up the order to number three – the entire top eight Yorkshire batsmen amassed only 42 runs.

At one stage it looked like the total would be even smaller, but a spirited last-wicket stand of 44 from Gough and Richard Wainwright made sure the Yorkshire bowlers had something to protect.

In the end they were all out for 157, with Naved earlier top-scoring on 57 before being brilliantly caught and bowled by his fellow Pakistan team-mate Danish Kaneria for 57.

In reply, Yorkshire were never really in contention, as Essex, led by Mark Pettini, romped home with 42 balls to spare.

He and Napier put on 63 for the second wicket, aided by some generous Yorkshire fielding.

Gough was the main offender – dropping Napier with an easy catch when the dangerman was on 14, and conceding four overthrows to help relieve pressure early on.

Napier did eventually leave the scene after making 46, but by this time Essex were 86 for two and the result was almost inevitable. Pettini went on to make 57 before being trapped lbw by the impressive Wainwright, as the Yorkshire spin attack gave it their best shot.

It wasn’t enough though as Grant Flower and Ryan ten Doeschate ensured Essex, for the second time in a fortnight, wrapped up the victory.

Yorkshire’s next chance to get back to winning ways is again in the Pro40, at Guildford against Surrey on Sunday