Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s determined 34 not out was the main contribution as Yorkshire held on for a crucial Roses draw on day four at Emirates Old Trafford.
Set a victory target of 302 in a minimum of 84 overs by LV= Insurance County Championship title chasing Lancashire, Yorkshire’s sole aim was to secure the 13 points for a draw which boosts the fight against relegation in Division One.
The county fell to 26-2 shortly before lunch and 67-3 in the early stages of the afternoon, but Kohler-Cadmore held firm against a Red Rose attack led by spinners Tom Hartley and Matt Parkinson.
Kohler-Cadmore’s 34 not out came off 159 balls and underpinned a close of play 102-3 inside 64 overs, ensuring Yorkshire’s seventh draw in 11 games when rain stopped play and meant no play beyond 4.10pm.
Contributions of 25 in 82 balls from impressive debut opener Fin Bean and 18 unbeaten in 83 from Will Fraine should also not be underestimated.
Kohler-Cadmore and Fraine, who also showed immense skill in challenging conditions, united for almost 30 overs either side of tea, sharing an unbroken 35. That fourth-wicket stand was the day’s key passage of play.
Jonny Tattersall’s side have strengthened their position in sixth place in the table, moving to 129 points and 25 clear of second-bottom Warwickshire, who have also played 11.
Day four started with Lancashire adding 77 runs in 10 overs before declaring on 280-5 in their second innings.
Steven Croft briskly advanced to 45 not out, while spinners Dom Bess and Jonny Tattersall struck for Yorkshire.
Bess, who finished with 3-84 from 13 overs, bowled home captain Dane Vilas as he attempted to cut, while Tattersall had George Lavelle miscuing to mid-on for his second first-class wicket.
Tattersall had relinquished the wicketkeeping gloves to Kohler-Cadmore late on day three in a bid to rectify Yorkshire’s poor over-rate. Thankfully, it was a successful one and they avoided a points deduction.
It was clear almost immediately upon the beginning of Yorkshire’s second innings that a pursuit of victory was not on the agenda, with the prospect of a draw enticing enough.
Although openers Adam Lyth and Bean batted with great caution, Lyth and George Hill will have been frustrated to fall before lunch to loose drives as the score fell to 26-2 in the 17th over.
Lyth was caught behind off the seam of Will Williams before Hill was caught at second slip off Hartley’s left-armers.
Kohler-Cadmore came in at the fall of the second wicket and shared 41 with Bean, who was caught behind midway through the afternoon as he feathered behind a Hartley delivery which kicked up out of the rough.
After his important 25, added to his first-innings 41, the left-hander’s departure left the score at 67-3 in the 35th over.
Kohler-Cadmore, who had lofted Parkinson’s leg-spin over mid-on for the second of only three boundaries, then united with Fraine either side of tea in the day’s key partnership.
They repelled a Lancashire victory bid which was desperately needed to realistically keep their Division One title hopes alive.
They came into this fixture 34 third in the table, 34 points behind leaders Surrey with three to play. They knew they realistically had to win them all and bank on a favour or two from elsewhere.
The likes of Parkinson, Hartley and new ball quick Tom Bailey, who bowled an over of off-spin immediately before tea, were unable to force a win which leaves them contemplating a near Championship miss for the second season running.
In backing up his first-innings 51, Kohler-Cadmore took a nasty blow on the right thumb from New Zealander Williams shortly before tea, where Yorkshire reached at 84-3 after 53 overs.
It was more of the same in the 40 minutes of play after tea before rain forced no further play beyond 4.10pm. The players shook hands on the draw 20 minutes later.
Yorkshire are back in Championship action against Essex at Headingley on Monday (10.30am).
