Leeds Rain Rescues Yorkshire

After a Gale had done his utmost to defy Lancashire on the third day, heavy early morning rainfall on the fourth day brought the much-anticipated Roses skirmish to an abrupt halt. As Lancashire were in the ascendancy, they will feel most aggrieved about the loss of play on the final day. The red rose can take some comfort from their efforts, but found the Headingley rain an invincible foe.

YORKSHIRE versus Lancashire; at Headingley; May 25th-28th; YORKSHIRE won the toss.

Lancashire first innings: 325 (Horton 66, Smith 54; Brooks 5-90, Plunkett 4-74)

YORKSHIRE first innings: 243 (Gale 95*, Lyth 50; Smith 5-49)

Lancashire second innings: 48 for 3 (Bresnan 3-9)

Match drawn. YORKSHIRE 9 points, Lancashire 11 points.

Lyth - The talented opener was amongst the runs again, but he will be acutely aware of the need to convert fifties into hundreds.

Lees - He shared in a good opening stand of 66 but he needs one or two good scores sooner rather than later.

Williamson - It's such a pity that he signs out from Yorkshire duty until mid-July with a low score. His tidy slow bowling will be badly missed.

Gale - Andrew can count himself unfortunate to be left marooned on 95 but he was then fortunate that the final day was washed out.

Bairstow - The flame-haired maestro missed out with the bat for the second successive Championship match, so a big score must be on the horizon.

Rashid - His bowling was thrashed in the first innings, and Adil is now merely a number six batsman and no longer can be considered a first-choice spin bowler.

Hodd - Andy failed with the bat, with his duck egg, as Yorkshire's middle order collapsed. A lack of runs will jeopardize his place in the first eleven.

Bresnan - The big guy took four wickets and bowled with great control. His 34 overs cost only 78 runs. Unfortunately he failed to arrest the mid-order batting demise.

Plunkett - He has a knack of picking up wickets but bowls too many loose deliveries. He is the opposite of the tidy but wicket-less Sidebottom.

Sidebottom - The veteran picked up an injury which is a cause for concern. He did bowl fourteen economical overs, costing only 39 runs.

Brooks - Jack continues to impress with his lively pace. He deserves consideration for the national team as he has taken his Championship wickets tally to 26.