Yorkshire’s LV= Insurance County Championship match against Gloucestershire at Headingley petered out into a draw during a weather-affected final day.
Neither side were able to get themselves into a winning position during a day which saw Yorkshire, who claimed a first-innings lead of 86, finish on 200-6 in their second innings. Opener Adam Lyth top-scored with six fours in a rounded 55, while wily Pakistani spinner Zafar Gohar enjoyed success with 3-63. There was no play beyond 4.30pm due to rain.
Earlier, Gloucestershire were bowled out for 464 in their first-innings reply to 550-9, advancing from 421-8 overnight. Dan Moriarty completed an encouraging 5-139 on his loan debut from Surrey, while visiting all-rounder Ollie Price advanced from 97 not out to 113 – his maiden first-team century.
It means Yorkshire have now reached the halfway-mark of their Division Two campaign, claiming 13 points from their fourth draw added to a win and two defeats.
They are just above Gloucestershire in the table, them without a win in eight games. Both sides are closer to the bottom of the table than the top.
Left-arm spinner Moriarty looked a constant threat in his first of four scheduled Championship appearances for Yorkshire and bowled a sweeping Price to wrap up Gloucestershire’s first innings during the day’s opening hour.
But the biggest positive for Yorkshire in this match was the trio of young centurions in the dominant first innings; Fin Bean, George Hill and Matthew Revis.
Their performances marked the first time in Yorkshire history that three non-capped players scored centuries in the same County Championship innings.
Price reached his milestone century with a leg-glanced boundary off the fifth ball of the day from medium pacer George Hill.
Two balls later, Matt Taylor edged seamer Dom Leech to first slip as Gloucestershire slipped to 425-9. Moriarty, in his 35th over, then bowled Ollie Price.
Lyth and Fin Bean shared a 73-run opening partnership at the start of Yorkshire’s second innings, with Bean caught behind pushing forwards at Gohar’s left-arm spin three balls into the afternoon for 38 including a pulled six off Ollie Price’s off-spin.
Lyth pulled, reverse swept and drove on the way to 55 before edging Zaman Akhter’s seam to first slip, ending a 56-run second-wicket stand with captain Shan Masood.
But the Pakistani international, however, was bowled reverse sweeping at compatriot Gohar shortly afterwards, leaving Yorkshire at 135-3 in the 31st over.
Only four more overs were possible before bad light and rain caused a 45-minute delay from just before 3pm, losing seven overs.
Afterwards, Gohar had a cutting Dawid Malan caught behind for 20 and Ben Charlesworth struck with his first ball in the next over to get Jonny Tattersall caught at slip as the score fell to 161-5 in the 40th over – a lead of 247.
Chris Dent then struck with his third ball, getting Hill caught at slip with his left-arm medium pace. Dent celebrated in disbelief and patted Hill on the back as he departed, maybe owing to the fact he usually bowls part-time left-arm spin. It proved to be the fixture’s final ball just after 4.30pm.
