Warwickshire v Yorkshire
(County Championship)
Day Three

ANTHONY McGrath hit a defiant, unbeaten 73 at Edgbaston yesterday to leave Yorkshire with some hope of either forcing a draw against Warwickshire or even pulling off a sensational victory.

After their opponents had contemptuously set them a 500 target, Yorkshire were 134 for two at the close, still requiring 366 to win.

Warwickshire were already in a strong position in the morning when they resumed on 146 for two with an overall lead of 246 and Nick Knight and Jonathan Trott remorselessly moved their third-wicket stand on from 85 to 249 in 60 overs, Warwickshire's highest for that wicket against Yorkshire.

Neither Knight nor Trott were troubled by a Yorkshire attack which looked resigned to going through the motions and both moved serenely on to their centuries.

Trott was first to the landmark off 133 balls with 16 fours, while Knight's century contained 14 boundaries and came off 151 deliveries.

Only once did Trott attempt to go over the top, driving Richard Dawson for a mighty six, and he and Knight were closing in on Warwickshire's highest thirdwicket partnership of 266 when Knight skied a top-edged pull at Jason Gillespie and Tim Bresnan did well to take the catch at long leg.

McGrath increased his lead as Yorkshire's top wicket-taker by bowling Alex Loudon, swinging wildly, and getting Jamie Troughton caught behind for a duck. Trott continued on his way until he had reached 177 in five hours.

Warwickshire were then 399 and decided enough was enough.

The enormity of Yorkshire's task was underlined when in the eight overs to tea they lost Joe Sayers lbw to one which kept low from Heath Streak.

McGrath was in excellent form from the start, cover- driving his second ball for four, but Matthew Wood was unlucky to edge James Anyon on to his pad and see the ball balloon to Ian Westwood rushing in from gully.

Michael Lumb held firm while McGrath completed a faultless half-century.

Scorecard

Warwickshire v Yorkshire at Edgbaston

Overnight: Yorkshire 216. Warwickshire 316 (J
O Troughton 73, A G R Loudon 73; A McGrath
4-62) and 146-2 (I J L Trott 55 no).

Warwickshire Second Innings
N V Knight c Bresnan b Gillespie 126
I J Trott not out 177
A G Loudon b McGrath 29
J O Troughton c Brophy b McGrath 2
M J Powell not out 12
Extras (b2 lb8 pens 0) 10
Total 5 wkts dec (95 overs) 399
Fall: 1-41 2-61 3-310 4-370 5-378
Did Not Bat: T R Ambrose, H H Streak, T D
Groenewald, J E Anyon.
Bowling: Gillespie 19-4-72-2. Bresnan 15-2-73-
1. Blain 8-0-41-0. McGrath 19-1-65-2. Dawson
17-2-78-0. Lehmann 13-1-48-0. White 4-1-12-0.

Yorkshire Second Innings Close
 M J Wood c Westwood b Anyon 18
J J Sayers lbw b Streak 10
A McGrath not out 73
M J Lumb not out 27
Extras (lb6 pens 0) 6
Total 2 wkts (40 overs) 134
Fall: 1-15 2-61
To Bat: D S Lehmann, C White, G L Brophy, R
K J Dawson, J N Gillespie, T T Bresnan, J A R
Blain.
Bonus Pts: Warwickshire 6 Yorkshire 4
Bowling: Streak 12-3-28-1. Carter 8-0-43-0.
Anyon 6-1-24-1. Groenewald 5-1-9-0. Loudon 6-
1-10-0. Powell 1-0-4-0. Troughton 2-0-10-0