Lancs foiled by ton-up pair

YORKSHIRE’S Jacques Rudolph and Andrew Gale hit centuries to deny Lancashire victory in the LV County Championship at Old Trafford.

Faced with the potential of a tough last day in the division one fixture, Rudolph and Gale batted until mid–afternoon and shared a match–saving third–wicket partnership of 218 in 60 overs.

Yorkshire are still rooted firmly in a relegation battle but at least they managed to take five points from this drawn fixture when, at the start of day four, it was only looking like one.

Yorkshire finished on 354 for four when rain forced an early end to proceedings.

Rudolph hit 11 fours in an innings of 127 off 280 balls and Gale struck 10 fours and two sixes in 121 off 173, to help their side to a second–innings score of 350 for four declared when the players shook hands at 4.50pm.