Yorkshire found themselves on the receiving end of a fierce assault from Matt Windows on another rain-shortened day at Cheltenham yesterday when Gloucestershire made every effort to make up for lost time.

Driving strongly through the covers, Windows rattled up 73 off 104 balls before becoming one of two victims in an over for Steve Kirby, whose double strike helped apply the brakes on Gloucestershire, who were 201 for six at the close.

A spell of morning rain brought a further soaking to the rain-sodden ground and it came as a surprise to everyone that it should dry out sufficiently for a 2.40pm start.

Chris Silverwood and Kirby continued their opening spells but neither bowled the right length and Tim Hancock and Windows raced the score along with some punishing strokes through the covers. Yorkshire persisted with attacking fields and both batsmen were fully in charge at 81 for two when rain brought forward the tea interval and caused a further five overs to be lost.

The first bowling change of the innings came at 82 for two in 23 overs when Vic Craven replaced Kirby, but Silverwood continued for a while at the Chapel End and broke the 80-stand by getting Hancock to flick a legside catch to Simon Guy.

Runs continued to flow, however, as Alex Gidman helped add 69 in only ten overs with Windows, who raced to his 50 with a pulled six off Craven.

Windows continued to punch the ball hard through the off side and was looking well set for a century until he aimed a drive at Kirby and edged into his stumps.

Kirby then dismissed Shoaib Malik, umpire Neil Mallender conferring with Trevor Jesty at square leg before confirming that the ball had carried to Stephen Fleming at first slip.

With two slow bowlers in the side Yorkshire turned to spin for the first time at 158 for five in 37 overs with the introduction of Andy Gray and he kept the ball after a nine-over break for rain.

Gidman had been contained somewhat after his robust start and it was the ever-improving Craven who claimed his wicket for 43, the batsman attempting to force off the backfoot and being smartly caught by Guy.