So Ballance gets yet another century. That’s five in as many Championship matches dating back to last September, four in a row this season and six in his career against Hampshire. Herbert Sutcliffe is the only other man to have scored that many for Yorkshire against Hampshire. Ah, it’s raining again, and we’re off with Yorkshire at 239-3, leading by 185.
I’d like to think Yorkshire would be looking at a declaration with a lead of around 270 and 55-60 overs remaining in the day. But, at this stage of the season and given Hampshire are a place above them in second, I think that might be a bit too optimistic from a neutral’s point of view. Instead, they are more likely to look at 300 in 45 and treat anything better than a draw as a bonus. Yorkshire 220-3, leading by 166 with 80.2 overs remaining in the day.
Important Division Two wickets at Worcester and Leicester. George Rhodes has been trapped lbw by Murtagh for a duck, so Worcestershire are now 13-2 and in bother. Hasan Azad has fallen for 44 to Luis Reece at Grace Road, leaving Leicester 123-5 chasing 234 to beat Derbyshire.
Worcestershire have lost their first wicket at New Road – Tom Fell nibbling at a delivery from Tim Murtagh and edging to Sam Robson at slip, leaving them at 5-1 in pursuit of 353. We are due to start here at Headingley at 11.45am. At Chelmsford, Essex are still batting, not for long I would wager though. They already have a lead of 336 over Kent.
They’re underway everywhere but here around the circuit. In Division Two, Middlesex have declared overnight and set Worcestershire 353 to win at New Road. There is some good news from Headingley in that it has stopped raining again, but there is a fair bit of water on the covers.
Updated
Unfortunately, it is raining at Headingley, and we are in for a delayed start to day four. We’re heading for a draw I’m afraid.
Pandemonium at Headingley! Jonny Bairstow out first ball to Yorkshire ‘great’ Imran Tahir in the World Cup opener at the Oval. He played just one Championship match for the county, against Sussex at Hove, in 2007. Ah, it’s all calm again. Joe Root has just hit a boundary.
Preamble
Good morning from Headingley, where we realistically need a full day’s play to produce a positive result. Yorkshire hold the advantage with a lead of 153 and seven second-innings wickets in hand, but Hampshire aren’t out of it just yet. The weather is overcast, so I’d be surprised if we get our wish I have to be honest. Even if rain doesn’t disrupt us, bad light at some stage probably will.
It is the same story around the rest of the country as well. All seven games across both divisions were affected by the rain at various stages yesterday. There are, however, plenty of opportunities for victories.
A little bit of surprise news to start the blog, but positive news. They’re going to recommence play at Cheltenham College between Gloucestershire and Division Two leaders Lancashire. The last two days have been wiped out, owing much to wet patches at either end of the wicket. But there has been a meeting of umpires and captains this morning, and it has been decided to crack on. Lancashire resume on 47-2 replying to 205. A bonus points game unless something ridiculous happens.
In Division One, Essex lead Kent by 312 with four second-innings wicket in hand at Chelmsford, while Warwickshire are 181 ahead of Surrey at Edgbaston (76-2 in their second innings). Essex are chasing their second win and Warwickshire their first of the season.
Back to Division Two, and Middlesex are well placed for their first win at the fourth attempt given they lead Worcestershire at New Road by 352. A second-innings declaration will come very early into proceedings if it doesn’t happen before play starts. Middlesex desperately need a win after, like Surrey across the Thames, a slumbering start, as I described the latter county in today’s paper round-up.
Glamorgan are doing a good job of saving their game against Sussex at Hove – 218-1 in the second innings, trailing by 16 with Australian Marnus Labuschagne unbeaten on 131.
Finally, at Grace Road, Leicestershire need 124 more to beat Midlands neighbours Derbyshire. They will resume on 110-4, with Hasan Azad 44 not out and Harry Dearden yet to get off the mark.