Yorkshire go top despite draw

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Jacques Rudolph hit an excellent century but it wasn't enough to earn Yorkshire an unlikely victory over Essex at Chelmsford

Jacques Rudolph's superb 106 proved in vein as leaders Yorkshire could only manage a draw with Essex at Chelmsford after being set 369 runs to win in 83 overs.

While the South African was at the crease, the visitors looked to have every chance of reaching their target as he played with supreme confidence, coaxing the ball around the field with classic timing.

He and Adam Lyth launched the run-chase with a useful 79-run partnership before the latter was stumped for 42, leaving Rudolph to orchestrate matters.

Rudolph reached his century from 144 deliveries that included ten boundaries.

His 93-run third-wicket partnership with Andrew Gale gave the visitors side the initiative, although they did spend 20 overs without hitting a boundary.

Gale was eventually bowled by spinner Tom Westley for 41 and, when Rudolph was removed by left-arm spinner Tim Phillips for 106, the visitors were 218 for four needing a further 151 in 23 overs.

Jonathan Bairstow and Gerard Brophy picked up the mantle, posting 92 in 15 overs, but then three wickets fell in 16 deliveries as Essex fought back.

Brophy was the victim of a superb two-handed diving catch by Matt Walker at cover off the bowling of Chris Wright and, two balls later, the same bowler had Bairstow caught at wide long-on for a 66-ball 62 to leave the visitors 315 for six.

Needing another 54 from six overs, they opted for survival as Essex now sensed the chance of victory and snared Tim Bresnan, stumped off Grant Flower, to raise their hopes.

However, Adil Rashid and Steven Patterson held out for the final five overs against a field gathered round the bat as Yorkshire finished on 333 for seven, 36 runs short of victory.

The home side had earlier added another 64 runs in 12 overs before declaring on 293 for six to set up the run-chase.

During that period, Alastair Cook completed his century when he needed 16 balls to add the required 10 runs to his overnight score of 90, having faced 188 deliveries in total and struck 13 boundaries.

But he was out immediately afterwards with his score on 102 when pulling a delivery from Bresnan into the hands of Bairstow at deep square-leg.

Although it was the England left-hander’s 25th first-class century of his career, of which 10 have been made for Essex, it was the his first for his county since May 2007.