Yorkshire decline to make Worcestershire follow on

George Hill reacts quickly to catch Matthew Waite at the second attempt

Rothesay County Championship Division One, Headingley (day two)

Yorkshire 456: Malan 98, Thompson 70, Lyth 67; Allison 3-58, Duffy 3-114 & 61-1

Worcestershire 162: Libby 53; Coad 4-39, Thompson 3-27

Yorkshire (8 pts) lead Worcestershire (3 pts) by 355 with 10 wickets standing

Match scorecard

Yorkshire claimed eight Worcestershire wickets during a rampant second-afternoon performance as their seamers helped gain a stranglehold on this County Championship match at Headingley.

Jordan Thompson was Yorkshire's standout player, making a swashbuckling 70 at the start of day two before returning 3-27 with his seamers.

In reply to Yorkshire's 456 all out, Worcestershire had reached 90 without loss shortly after lunch, but lost eight wickets for 46 in 25 overs to slump to 136-8 at tea and were later bowled out for 162, conceding a lead of 294.

The hosts, however, opted against enforcing the follow-on, and increased their lead in the day's remaining 19 overs, closing on 61-1 - 355 ahead.

The day started with Yorkshire advancing their first innings from an overnight 425-8 as Ben Coad made a useful 31 in a ninth-wicket stand of 75 with Thompson.

He ensured an entertaining start to the day, moving from 48 not out to help Yorkshire secure their fifth batting bonus point for passing 450.

Yorkshire lost Coad caught behind off Allison, leaving the score at 435-9 but Thompson took two sixes in an over off another Worcestershire seamer Tom Taylor - one pulled, the other reverse scooped over the wicketkeeper's head.

The second took his side beyond 450 and he also reached his 50 off 48 balls.

Yorkshire's innings, however, was wrapped up when sub-fielder Rob Jones took a superb juggling catch on the deep square-leg boundary to help Allison remove Thompson.

Worcestershire captain Brett D'Oliveira suffered a dislocated thumb whilst trying to take a diving catch in the outfield before lunch, and he later batted at eight rather than his usual number six before losing his off stump to Jack White.

The Pears had started their reply strongly through openers Jake Libby and Gareth Roderick, who made 53 and 37 respectively on a pitch which has offered something for everyone.

But during the action-packed afternoon, the home attack were right at it and hardly gave their visitors a moment's breathing space.

Coad added a superb 4-39 from 15.3 overs, new-ball partner White claimed two wickets and George Hill one, with Yorkshire's catching behind the wicket particularly impressive.

The breakthrough came when White had Roderick caught at second slip by Adam Lyth, who also helped Coad remove Libby at 101-3 in the 37th over, with Thompson forcing Kashif Ali to play on to his leg-stump in between.

Hill held a juggling catch at first slip as Coad removed ex-Yorkshire all-rounder Matthew Waite for one and Thompson had Ethan Brookes caught at mid-on for 19 after tea before Coad wrapped things up when Jacob Duffy edged behind.

The only wicket to fall in Yorkshire's second innings went the way of Allison as Fin Bean played on for 14.

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Yorkshire all-rounder Jordan Thompson:

"It proved tough the first hour-and-a-half up until lunch with the ball, but I think we got our rewards and obviously got a few quick ones. That always helps.

"I think it's more a swing pitch. If you swing the ball and you get a little bit of bounce, you bring the nicks in. I think we bowled very well, kind of worked as a pack and created that pressure, and it brought us some results.

"We know that at Headingley, when you're bowling in the right spots, you can build pressure and wickets come in clusters.

"We could have batted last and potentially had a little chase, but if we can get 400-500 in front, give the bowlers a little bit of a rest and go back out there fresh for five sessions and try and win the game, then I think that's the best way to go."

Worcestershire opener Jake Libby:

"Obviously a real tough day for us. You have to hand it to them, they bowled really well. I think they were relentless with their lines and lengths.

"With the start we got off to, we will be disappointed with the day we've had. But, as we saw last week, we've got plenty of fight in this group, and we'll certainly be giving our all for the last two days.

"They've had two really good days of cricket. I think they batted really well as well and put us under pressure with our lengths.

"They played two really good days of cricket, and we've just been a little bit off. In Division One, you can't get away with that."