Yorkshire toil, despite another ton from Lyth

Somerset will have one eye on the weather forecast this morning after putting Yorkshire under genuine pressure on day three of their Specsavers' County Championship game at the County Ground, Taunton.
Adam LythAdam Lyth
Adam Lyth

Although Adam Lyth continued his cricketing love affair with Taunton, with another century against Somerset, the day belonged to the host county and their bowlers.

From a position of relative comfort, at 172 for 2, and despite a resolute batting performance from last wicket pair, Steven Patterson and Jack Brooks, Yorkshire finished the day on 306 for 9, still 256 runs behind Somerset’s first innings total and with another 107 runs required to avoid the follow on.

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The morning session certainly belonged to Lyth, who not only helped himself to a third century in seven matches against Somerset at the County Ground, but in doing so, topped 800 first-class runs on the ground over the same period of time.

Resuming on his overnight score of 80, last summer’s Ashes opening batsman, struck three further boundaries, including a controlled six over third man, to reach three figures off 174 balls.

He lost second wicket partner Will Rhodes, for 15, caught by Jamie Overton off Peter Trego at 145 for 2, before finally departing himself for 106, shortly after lunch.

Having played with due care and attention during the morning session, the 28-year-old flashed at a short delivery from Lewis Gregory and offered first slip Jim Allenby a catch he duly accepted.

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Andrew Gale followed Lyth back to the pavilion at 189 for 4 before the rains came to force an early tea at 213 for 4.

When the players returned, Somerset applied genuine pressure to a side who began the game on top of the Division One table. Having once again reached a position from where defeat was barely a consideration, they lost, five wickets for 11 runs in 35 balls.

Jack Leaning leant forward and edged a Lewis Gregory delivery to wicket keeper Ryan Davis, at 226 for 5, before Yorkshire lost their next three wickets with the score stuck on 232.

First, Adil Rashid was run out without scoring, in attempting a third run to Tom Abell on the boundary. Then, Gary Ballance was caught behind, by Davis, off the bowling of Tom Groenewald for 37. Finally, three balls later, Andy Hodd was bowled by Groenewald to leave Yorkshire 232 for 8 in the 91st over.

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Liam Plunkett’s provided temporary resistance before under-edging Groenewald to Davis, at 237 for 9. However, any thoughts of a quick fire finish to the innings was put to bed by Patterson and Brooks who added an unbeaten 69 for the 10th wicket.