Yorkshire take little from stalemate

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Jonathan Bairstow had time to compile an even 50 to settle Yorkshire's nerves following a brief wobble in the afternoon

Yorkshire managed to hold out for a draw against Hampshire at Scarborough that earns them seven points in the race for the LV= County Championship title.

Hampshire’s declaration on 498 for six before lunch had put them 176 runs in front with a minimum of 71 overs remaining on the fourth day, ushering in a potentially tricky passage of play for the hosts.

Although the visitors tried hard to achieve an unlikely victory, Yorkshire were never put under any serious pressure and the game came to a close when they were able to declare on 225 for four.

The result was still a big disappointment for Yorkshire, who were only able to pick up seven points.

Although they remain in third place in Division One, they may now need to win both of their remaining matches - against leaders Nottinghamshire and Kent - if they are to snatch the title.

In contrast, Hampshire will feel quite happy travelling home with 11 points, sufficient to move them further away from any relegation fears.

Jimmy Adams and James Vince had already put on 215 for the fourth wicket when they resumed their partnership on the final morning with Hampshire 367 for three and leading by 45.

They continued to exact a heavy toll on the bowling, both striking sixes off Adil Rashid and Vince sweeping the leg-spinner for four to raise the 400 in the 106th over and bring Hampshire a fifth batting bonus point.

The stand overtook the previous record for the fourth wicket at North Marine Road of 258 between Phil Robinson and David Byas for Yorkshire against Kent in 1989, and it went on to exceed the previous Hampshire highest for the fourth wicket of 263 by Roy Marshall and David Livingstone against Middlesex at Lord’s in 1970.

It had reached a massive 278 when opener Adams finally departed for 196 from 343 balls with 27 fours and a six after occupying the crease for 113 overs.

He failed to connect while trying to hit Steve Patterson through midwicket and lost his middle stump.

There was more pain ahead for Yorkshire, however, as Vince and Sean Ervine stepped on the accelerator pedal by rattling up 63 in eight overs, Ervine driving Patterson over long-on for six and Vince clearing the West Stand when Rashid bowled him a long hop.

Vince was in with a shout of converting his maiden century into a double until he attempted to hit a second consecutive six off Rashid only to hole out to Jonathan Bairstow on the midwicket boundary for 180. He had faced 205 balls and hit 24 fours and three sixes.

Hampshire were 493 for five and five runs later Ervine was run out and they promptly declared, leaving Yorkshire six overs to face before lunch which Lyth and Rudolph safely negotiated.

Runs came swiftly after the interval but Dominic Cork, who had dismissed Lyth in the first innings, continued to pose him problems. At 87 he fended a ball to short-leg where Adams scooped up an excellent catch.

Rudolph went to his fifty off 74 balls with nine fours but then cut David Balcombe straight to Michael Carberry at point, leaving Yorkshire 129 for two and trailing by 47.

Anthony McGrath’s departure to a slip catch by Neil McKenzie off left-arm spinner Danny Briggs raised the visitors’ hopes slightly but skipper Andrew Gale and Bairstow saw Yorkshire through safely to tea.

Briggs had Gale snapped up at leg-slip by Chris Benham in the evening session and the game could still have gone Hampshire’s way if Gerard Brophy had not been dropped at first slip by Vince before he had scored.

That would have left Yorkshire effectively 15 for five but there were no further alarms and Bairstow just had time to reach a 71-ball half-century containing eight fours and a six before the teams decided to call it a day.