Nail Whitaker reports August 18th
YORKSHIRE ended the third day of the LV County Championship match against Durham 54 runs short of victory.
Chasing or strolling 299 to in three overs short of five sessions the Tykes ended the third day on 245 for four with skipper Andrew Gale 36 not and night watchman Steve Patterson unbeaten on three. Their chase was given the best possible start with a century opening stand between Adam Lyth and Jacques Rudolph worth 113. Rudolph dominated the partnership and reached his fifty off 71 balls with eight fours. He brought up his half century with a straight drive of Chris Rushworth which went for four. The partnership was broken when Lyth guided Ben Stokes to Michael Di Venuto two shy of his own half century.
Rudolph was joined by Anthony McGrath and he again he dominated this partnership. The Durham fielders looked down and out and seemed resigned to be defeated in three days as Rudolph plundered the bowling. They put on 68. Rudolph turned Steve Harmison off his legs for four through fine leg to bring up his fourth Championship century of the season. Unfortunately for the Tykes and their fans Rudolph didn’t score any more when he was bowled by Mitchell Claydon.
McGrath was the next to go when he drove Claydon off his front foot to Stokes at cover for 29. Jonny Baistow made a quick 13 as he and Gale tried to end the match but he was caught behind by Phil Mustard off Claydon. Patterson survived a strong appeal for leg before first ball by Claydon, but he and Gale saw the last four overs out.
Earlier Durham resumed 165 ahead but with only four second innings wickets left. Dale Benkenstein late cut Patterson to bring up his fifty. It took Yorkshire 13 overs and 53 minutes to get a breakthrough when Liam Plunkett slashed at Oliver Hannon-Dalby and was caught at second slip by Richard Pyrah for 30.
In the second over with the new ball Claydon was leg before to Ajmal Shahzad for 29 after he had added 43 with Benkenstein for the eighth wicket. Benkenstein fell three overs later when he was caught behind by Gerard Brophy off Patterson for 74.
Rushworth and Harmison saw Durham to lunch without any further loss but with the third ball after lunch Rushworth was bowled by Patterson 29.
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