COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Emirates Ground:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Durham 213 & 340, Yorkshire 255 & 245-4
Yorkshire 5pts, Durham 4pts
Match scorecard

Jacques Rudolph faced 146 balls for his 100, hitting 15 fours

Jacques Rudolph hit a century to move Yorkshire close to victory over Durham on day three at Chester-le-Street.

With the Tykes chasing 299 to win, Rudolph (100) and Adam Lyth (48) helped them to 245-4 at the close.

Earlier, South African Dale Benkenstein (74) provided the backbone of Durham's late-order resistance.

Liam Plunkett (30), Mitch Claydon (29) and Scott Rushworth (28) also contributed as Durham moved from their overnight 207-6 to 340 all out.

On a pitch that is becoming progressively flat, the Durham tail provided Benkenstein with valuable support.

The former captain looked in no trouble until, sensing he was running out of partners, he edged Steve Patterson (4-87) to wicketkeeper Gerard Brophy.

606: DEBATE At the risk of tempting fate, that shouldn't be a problem tlimvvo2max

Rushworth added 36 for the final wicket with Steve Harmison but was bowled by Patterson from the second ball after lunch to end the innings.

Yorkshire openers Rudolph and Lyth added 113 for the first wicket before Lyth edged Ben Stokes to second slip.

First-innings centurion Anthony McGrath joined Rudolph to take the score to 181 but the former South Africa international became the first victim for Mitch Claydon (3-51) when he played on.

McGrath sliced a drive to point and Jonny Bairstow edged behind, both off Claydon. But captain Andrew Gale (36 not out) is still there as Yorkshire close in on a win that will keep the pressure on leaders Nottinghamshire and end Durham's slender title hopes.

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