Yates fires maiden century as Sibley fails Ashes audition
At Edgbaston
Warwickshire 303-4 v Somerset
Rob Yates fired his maiden firstclass century as Warwickshire assumed a commanding position on day one of their Division One match against second-placed Somerset.
The 19-year-old academy product led the way as the home side closed on 303 for four at Edgbaston. Yates looked assured as he reached 139 not out from 286 balls, passing his previous best of 91, which came at the beginning of last month at Hampshire.
The Solihull-born left-hander – 32 days shy of his 20th birthday – became the youngest Warwickshire batsman to score a hundred since Sam Hain, who reached three figures in his fifth match against Northamptonshire in 2014 at the age of 18 years and 336 days.
Warwickshire will be delighted with how the day turned out, particularly after a wobbly start in which Dominic Sibley departed in the second over.
With plenty of eyes on the 23-year-old ahead of the third Ashes Test at Headingley, Sibley found Roelof van der Merwe at gully, leaving the hosts on nought for one.
But, making good use of a short boundary in front of the Eric Hollies Stand, Warwickshire frustrated Somerset with an impressive 153-run partnership from 232 balls between Yates and Will Rhodes. Rhodes, who departed for 82 from 117 balls, caught by wicketkeeper Steve Davies off Craig Overton, struck 13 fours and one six.
Any hopes Somerset harboured of a run of quick wickets following his exit were dashed by Hain. The England Lions batsman scored just 25 from 104 balls before edging to Davies off Van der Merwe, but he had continued to frustrate a Somerset side who used six bowlers.
The partnership between Hain and Yates was 89, leaving the hosts on 242 for three and Adam Hose next in. With the new ball available after 80 overs, the visitors persevered for an extra 5.2 overs before changing during a Jack Brooks over. The move brought success, with Overton trapping Hose lbw for 17.
But Tim Ambrose (16 not out) followed the trend, striking three fours in a 28-run partnership with Yates. The pair will be looking to add a further 47 runs in the first 14 overs today to earn a fourth batting point, before aiming to surpass their highest score when batting first this season – 391 for nine declared against Nottinghamshire.
Warwickshire have given a firstclass debut to fast bowler George Garrett. The 19-year-old from Hertfordshire has impressed with the second team this season, taking 22 wickets in nine red-ball matches.