Yates chases Hants target
Teenager Rob Yates fell nine runs of his maiden first-class century as Warwickshire battled hard to eat into Hampshire’s huge first-innings total of 539.
Top order batsman Yates, who only signed his first professional deal last December, showed maturity which belied his age to guide his side towards the follow-on target.
The 19-year-old academy graduate added a vital 142-run stand for the third wicket with fellow talented youngster Sam Hain, who collected his second County Championship half-century of the season.
Earlier, Olly Stone had marked his return from almost seven months on the sidelines with a bone stress injury in his lower back with a five-wicket haul.
Stone, who had taken three wickets on his first day of action of the season helped wrap up the Hampshire tail in 20 morning overs.
Warwickshire begin day three 198 for three, still 191 adrift of the follow-on and trailing by 341.
Yates said: “It was nice to spend time out there but was disappointed not to get over the milestone in the context of the game.
“I had to stick to my game. I’m not the most aggressive batsman so I stuck to what I know and it came off.
“It isn’t nice to be dropped but they don’t go down in the book.
“You have to put it to the back of your mind and start again.
“I seemed to get into my rhythm more in the second half of my innings and I found scoring runs easier.
“I’d be lying if I said there weren’t any head noises as I closed in on fifty. It was third time lucky!
“It was great to bat with Sam. He’s a good craic and brings the intensity.
“I didn’t have first team cricket on my radar this season but I am trying to learn as much as I can from each game and try to enjoy it.”
