Date-stamped : 01 May95 - 22:22 Ainsley Vase: Yorkshire v Lancashire, Headingley, 27, 28, 29 April, 1 May 1995 ====> Day 1, 27 Apr 95 Byas takes charge - Neville Scott First day of four: Yorks 386-7 v Lancs TO CALL any match between these two sides a first-class `friend- ly`, the official designation, is like terming Cold War diplomacy `cordial`. David Byas entered the fray by recording a career best for the second time in 15 days, his assured 193 this time requiring just 250 balls. Byas, with a career average under 33, hit 34 fours and a six dur- ing a display of wide-ranging strokeplay and perfect placement. Only when approaching his hundred did his composure waver, the main reason perhaps for just 12 previous centuries. In his first 13 balls, Mike Watkinson, starting with seam, had Martyn Moxon lbw on the back foot and brought a deflection from Michael Bevan`s front pad onto his stumps, the second man to go for nought. But Yorkshire now have authentic batting down to seven and a con- fident Craig White added 151 with Byas at 3.65 an over. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com) ====> Day 2, 28 Apr 95 Gough tests centurion Atherton - Neville Scott Second day of four: Yorkshire (417-7 dec & 45-1) lead Lancashire (271) by 191 runs FOR 58 minutes after lunch here, Darren Gough decided to prove full fitness to his England captain. Michael Atherton, with four Test centuries since his last for Lancashire, received just 11 balls in Gough`s seven-over spell, hooking one for six but square-driving another inches from gully. Of his partners, however, Graham Lloyd was brutally undone by the bouncer and Steve Titchard was comprehensively yorked, each dismissal described with relish to the watching captain. In an excellent pre-lunch burst, Peter Hartley had claimed the first two wickets and when Craig White, mixing fine balls with poor, removed Mike Watkinson, Lancashire were 140 for five. But, gaining uncomplicated support from Ian Austin, Atherton reached his calm hundred after tea. With Peter Martin laid low by food poisoning, three Mark Robinson wickets in 17 balls meant the follow-on was saved by the last pair. ====> Day 3, 29 Apr 95 Day 3: Yorkshire (417-7 dec and 288-6 dec) Lancashire (271 & 70-3). In the four-day challenge match between the sides, which ends on Monday, England`s Darren Gough finished with figures of three for four from nine overs as Yorkshire headed towards a big win. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com) ====> Day 4, 1 May 95 Gough`s best wrecks Lancs - Neville Scott Yorks (417-7 dec & 288-6 dec) bt Lancs (271 & 215) by 219 runs AS BARONESS Thatcher once famously exalted: "Rejoice!" One can quibble over detail - this was a friendly and Lancashire lacked three first-choice batsmen - but if Darren Gough bowls like this against the West Indies, even their top order will know they are in a contest. From the point just before bad light brought an early close on Saturday, when Mike Atherton shouldered arms to a straight one, to the fall of Ian Austin, deceived by the slower ball in yesterday`s 12th over, Gough took six wickets for eight runs in 46 balls. His final analysis, seven for 28, in his first first-class game since returning from Australia four months ago with a fractured left foot, was a career best. Match figures of 10 for 80 (also his best) made him the first bowler to take 10 wickets in a Roses encounter since Richard Hutton 24 years ago. Including the 40-over friendly on Sunday, Lancashire were bowled out three times over the last five days in a combined total of 167 overs. A side which may regularly lose players to England will hope such problems are out of the system. If rather too many of Lancashire`s batsmen seemed set on ignoring that crucial Roses objective - keep secure, by hand and brain, your wicket at all costs - only perhaps two of Gough`s 10 dismis- sals were not fully earned by his pace and skilful variation. Gough then had Steve Titchard with one that cut back at speed Resuming at 70 for three, Lancashire immediately lost Nick Speak, lbw to Peter Hartley hitting across the line. Gough then had Steve Titchard with one that cut back at speed and Mike Watkin- son, fearing steeper bounce, prodded to short leg. With well-disguised slower balls also accounting for Austin and Peter Martin, the visitors had stumbled to 122 for eight. While Gough rested, Warren Hegg (missed off Craig White when 26) and Gary Yates, But in three deliveries either side of lunch, Hartley removed both Hegg and former team-mate Gary Keedy and Yorkshire could depart early for today`s Benson and Hedges match in Glasgow. Whatever other England selections Atherton, with the Illingworth whip freshly restored, may wish to dispute with his chairman, that of the fully fit Gough will not be in doubt. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk) Contributed by The Management (help@*ogi.edu)