Yardy enjoys subdued but successful Sussex return

(Getty)

Michael Yardy yesterday played his first game since flying home early from the World Cup suffering with depression. Yardy made a successful, if low-key, comeback as captain of Sussex in a CB40 game against the Netherlands at Hove.

The 30-year-old returned from the World Cup in India shortly before England's quarter-final against Sri Lanka in March. England's medical team said he had been "managing the illness for some time". Yesterday Yardy said: "I now intend to spend some time concentrating on my cricket and would ask that people respect my decision to focus on my performances for Sussex and continue to give me the space I need."

Against the Dutch, Yardy took an early wicket when he had Tom Cooper caught behind down the leg side and delivered his eight overs for the typically respectable figures of 1 for 36. He also ran out Eric Szwarczynski but not before the opener had hit 111 to help the visitors reach 225 for 7. In reply Yardy scored 39 but it was Murray Godwin's century that secured victory for Sussex by five wickets. Godwin scored an unbeaten 109 off 88 balls including a six to win the match.

Peter Trego, the Somerset all-rounder, made Godwin's effort appear pedestrian as he bludgeoned a century from just 58 balls against Glamorgan, including 28 from an over. Trego hit Will Owen's medium pace for six boundaries, four fours and two sixes. He fell the ball after reaching a hundred, while Craig Kieswetter was denied a century of his own as rain ended the home side's innings early with the sometime England player on 95.

There were easy wins for Kent and Essex, against Middlesex and Lancashire respectively. For Essex, Ravi Bopara continued his good run of form with an unbeaten 75, while captain James Foster is another in good touch: he made a run-a-ball 77.