Anthony McGrath rapped out a defiant unbeaten 73 at Edgbaston to leave Yorkshire with some hope today 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 134-2 at close of play yesterday, needing another 366 to win.

Warwickshire resumed their first innings yesterday on 146-2, an overall lead 246, and Nick Knight and Jonathan Trott remorselessly moved their third wicket stand on from 85 to the 249 in 60 overs.

It was Warwickshire's highest third wicket partnership against Yorkshire, beating the 236, which was set by Crowther Charlesworth and Walter Quaife at Dewsbury 92 years ago.

It was the 12th highest third wicket stand against Yorkshire by any team and the highest since Mike Gatting and Mark Ramprakash amassed 321 at Scarborough in 1993.

Neither Knight nor Trott was troubled by a Yorkshire attack which looked resigned to going through the motions until Warwickshire decided to declare.

Both batsmen moved serenely on to their centuries, Knight to his 39th in first class cricket and his junior partner to his ninth.

Trott, who was born in South Africa but has a EU/British passport, was first to the three-figure landmark, reaching his ton off 133 balls, with 16 fours.

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.

Trott and Knight were getting close to making Warwickshire's record third wicket partnership of 266 when Knight was out.

He skied a top-edged pull at Jason Gillespie and Tim Bresnan did well to take the catch at long leg after a couple of other fielders showed a temporary interest before backing off.

Knight's 126 was scored off 190 balls, with 18 fours.

Once he was out of the way, 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 calmly on his way until he had reached 177 off 260 balls, with 20 fours and a six in five hours of determined crease occupation.

Warwickshire were then 399 and decided that enough was enough and they declared.

The enormity of Yorkshire's task was underlined by the fact that last year against Leicestershire they made their biggest winning score of 406.

A repeat of that feat did not seem likely this time and, in the eight overs to tea, Yorkshire 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 a delivery from James Anyon on to his pad and see the ball balloon to Ian Westwood, who was rushing in from gully.

Michael Lumb held firm while McGrath, top scorer in Yorkshire's first innings with 48, completed a faultless half-century.

However, he had a fortunate escape on 64 when he cut Neil Carter straight to point, where the catch was dropped by Troughton.

McGrath included 13 boundaries in his 72 and his third wicket stand with Lumb (27) was worth an unbroken 73.

Updated: 09:43 Saturday, April 29, 2006