Tykes stifled by late order

After their explosive efforts earlier on, much of the fire went out of Yorkshire's bowling at Headingley yesterday and Hampshire, ably assisted by Keighley-born batsman Paul Whitaker, were able to hold out for a draw, despite a later flurry of excitement.

After rain had washed out the third day, it was 12.25 yesterday afternoon before the clouds lifted and Hampshire were able to resume on 109 for three, still 114 away from avoiding the innings defeat.

Yorkshire's spirits soared in only the third over when Derek Kenwood touched one from Chris Silverwood which drifted away, but with the pitch now unresponsive either to pace or spin Hampshire were able to make largely untroubled progress at a leisurely rate.

Adrian Aymes, eight not out overnight, had the necessary patience to put down the heavy anchor while Dimitri Mascarenhas advanced with a more carefree approach and it was not until just after Shearer had scored for England that Richard Stemp did his bit for Yorkshire by getting Mascarenhas caught behind attempting to cut for 34 out of a 59 stand in 17 overs.

While Stemp bowled throughout the afternoon, getting in 18 overs for 25 runs, Yorkshire tried several variations at the Kirkstall Lane end but nothing could stop Aymes completing his 50 off 136 balls to take Hampshire to 200 for five.

Whitaker was proving just as obstinate as Aymes, who was fortunate straight after tea to edge Silverwood between wicketkeeper and first slip without either Richard Blakey or Anthony McGrath moving a muscle.

But the return of Stemp broke Aymes's resistance when he played back and was lbw for 73 off 186 deliveries with six fours, having defied Yorkshire for 236 minutes.

Time was slipping away for Yorkshire, who took the new ball at 250 for six just before the final hour and the score was unchanged four overs later when Whitaker was bowled off his pads by Paul Hutchison with a ball which pitched outside leg stump.

Whitaker had battled away for 131 balls, striking only one boundary in his 32, but it seemed as if he may have got out just a little too early when Shaun Udal fell lbw to Silverwood with ten overs remaining.

Hampshire's lead was 32 but it was quickly increased by ten as Silverwood's no-ball to the swashbuckling Nixon McLean was followed by two boundaries before the West Indian mis-hit a pull to give the bowler a gentle catch.

Last man Peter Hartley calmly denied his former colleagues with Kevan James and Yorkshire called it a day with 4.3 overs remaining and Hampshire 49 in front at 272 for nine.

Had the final wicket gone down in that over, a further two overs would have been lopped off for the end of the innings, leaving Yorkshire with only a couple of overs at their disposal.

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