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Kabir and Kirby humble batsmen

Colin Crompton
Thursday 14 August 2003 00:00 BST
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After 25 wickets fell at Scarborough yesterday it was Yorkshire who came out on top against Worcestershire, the County Championship Second Division leaders, on a dramatic first day.

The home side were dismissed for 130 in 31.2 overs with pace bowler Kabir Ali's 8 for 53 seemingly putting Worcestershire in control.

But they suffered even more on a wicket likely to be the subject of debate. Steve Kirby took 6 for 51 as the visitors collapsed to 91 all out in 28 overs, surprisingly giving away a 39-run first-innings deficit.

There was still no end to the wickets when Yorkshire batted again. Justin Kemp this time enjoyed a profitable spell, taking 3 for 30 as Yorkshire ended the day at 137 for 5 in their second innings. Craig White was unbeaten on 42, the top score of the day along with Richard Dawson's effort in Yorkshire's first innings.

Kabir's ability to move the ball both ways, allied to a strict adherence to a full length, means he now boasts the best two bowling analyses in the competition this season, yesterday's haul bettering his 8 for 58 against Derbyshire at New Road last month.

Kirby and Yorkshire, though, will be happier especially as his fifth wicket took him to 50 in first-class cricket this season.

Kabir and Kirby deserve credit for their efforts on a placid pitch, but the batsmen aided their own downfall. Five players perished shouldering arms, while poor shot selection accounted for several others.

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