Yardy calls the shots

11 February 2008 | By Justin Goulding

Michael Yardy © Getty Images

Captain Michael Yardy continued his resurgence in form with a magnificent unbeaten hundred as England Lions dominated the opening day of their Duleep Trophy clash with West Zone.

The left-hander, who scored just seven runs in his first three innings on tour, followed up a second-innings half-century in the victory over Central Zone in Vadodara last week with 151 not out at the same venue.

England, requiring only a draw to reach the final of India’s premier first-class competition, closed on 273 for four, with Jonathan Trott falling for 44 to the second new ball just before stumps.

He and his skipper shared a fourth-wicket stand of 141, Yardy having enjoyed alliances of 50 and 75 with Joe Denly and Ed Joyce for the second and third wickets respectively.

Yardy, who won the toss, helped repair the damage after opener Michael Carberry’s departure in the second over, hitting 20 of the 291 balls he faced for four.

Left-arm seamer Ashraf Makda took three of the four wickets to fall, while Ramesh Powar, the India off-spinner, bowled 21 overs without success.