Yorkshire bat out day to save Roses match

Aug 4 2009 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

Faced with the potential of a tough last day in the Division One fixture, Rudolph and Gale batted until mid-afternoon and shared a match-saving third-wicket partnership of 218 in 60 overs.

Yorkshire are still rooted firmly in a relegation battle but at least they managed to take five points from this fixture when, at the start of day four, it was only looking like one.

Yorkshire were 354 for four in their second innings when rain forced an early end to proceedings.

Rudolph hit 11 fours in an innings of 127 off 280 balls and Gale struck 10 fours and two sixes in 121 off 173.

Gale’s century was his second against Lancashire at Old Trafford in successive seasons, and he reached three figures just after lunch with a cover-driven four off Kyle Hogg in the 65th over.

He had faced 141 balls and had hit 10 fours and one six over long-on off the left-arm spin of Gary Keedy.

Fellow left-hander Rudolph followed him just three overs later when he swept Keedy for two over square leg. The South African had faced 209 balls and had hit nine boundaries.

Lancashire bossed this game for the first three days of this fixture and were confident of claiming the remaining eight wickets they needed.

But they rarely looked like making the breakthrough in time for their fourth win of the season.

Rudolph offered a sharp chance to Mal Loye at short leg off the bowling of Keedy while on 107.

Tom Smith trapped Gale lbw to leave the visitors at 257 for three. Rudolph’s effort came to an end when he was caught at leg slip by Paul Horton off the bowling of Keedy.

Lancashire take 12 points from the fixture.