COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Headingley:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Hampshire 351 and 41-0, Yorkshire 348 (Hants 7pts, Yorks 6pts)
23-26 September

Yorkshire's late order collapse cost them first innings lead in their final County Championship match of the season against Hampshire at Headingley.

The Tykes, 169-1 overnight, lost their last seven wickets for just 89 to be bowled out for 348, three runs adrift.

And, when bad light stopped play with 23.3 overs left, Hampshire had added to their 351 to reach 41 without loss.

Joe Sayers went five short of a ton for the Tykes, while Jonny Bairstow (50no) hit a sixth half-century in 11 matches.

Yorkshire appeared to have a good chance of building up a substantial lead when they resumed on a slow pitch.

Sayers, 74 overnight, left much of the early scoring to nightwatchman David Wainwright, who progressed quickly to 20 with some well-timed shots to the cover boundary.

But, after Wainwright holed out to cover point, Sayers then went for 95 when he was at last tempted into the hook by Dominic Cork, allowing James Tomlinson to take a well-judged catch at long leg.

After Yorkshire lunched on 249-3, the new ball was taken immediately after the interval. And left-armer Tomlinson and David Griffiths soon made a big impact with it.

Tomlinson started the slide when McGrath drove a low catch to Liam Dawson in the covers.

In his next over Tomlinson produced a good ball that found the edge of Andrew Gale's bat as it left him and wicketkeeper Nic Pothas held onto the catch.

Suddenly Yorkshire were 273 for five and, without addition, Adam Lyth was hit on the glove, the ball ballooning up for first slip Jimmy Adams to catch it falling backwards behind the wicketkeeper.

The procession continued when Gerard Brophy slashed at Griffiths and was well caught by Pothas leaping high into the air. And, although Hampshire's bowlers remained on top, they were unable to prevent Jonny Bairstow from playing a gem of an innings.

Although wickets continued to tumble at the other end, Bairstow just had time to complete his sixth half-century in his debut season before Deon Kruis edged to slip just two runs short of a fourth batting bonus point.

Hampshire openers Adams and Dawson were largely untroubled in their reply but, after conferring several times, the umpires decided the light was too poor to continue.

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