By JMB
September 15 2006

A maiden first class hundred from Andrew Gale secured a first innings lead of 335 at the end of day 2 of the County Championship match against Warwickshire. The 23 year old left hander helped Yorkshire to a massive 536 all out. Gale, whose previous best Championship score was 29, added a Yorkshire record seventh wicket stand against Wawickshire of 162 with Gerard Brophy. He had previously added 117 with Michael Lumb (57).

Brophy had played second fiddle for much of the partnership, only breaking free when Gale was dismissed with the total on 455. Brophy laid siege on the Warwickshire bowlers before being dismissed for 97 off the final ball of the day.

Gale survived a chance on 51 when he was put down by Mark Wagh at mid-off and Tim Ambrose missed a late stumping opportunity, but for the rest of the time the batsman was in total control with many of his runs coming from stinging drives through the off side.

Warwickshire, however, were guilty of some very shoddy fielding and their only player to emerge from the day with much credit was Harris, who bowled 44 overs in only his second championship match to claim five wickets.

Yorkshire were already in a strong position at the start of the second day when they resumed on 122 for two and trailing by only 79 but they soon lost Joe Sayers, who drove Neil Carter low to Ian Westwood at cover and departed for 72 from 128 balls with 14 boundaries.

Nightwatchman Jason Gillespie batted positively until he had reached 25 when he edged Carter to Ambrose to leave Yorkshire on 160 for four, but Gale made sure that they did not stumble any further.

Once he had departed to a standing ovation from the 4,000 crowd, Brophy soon lost Tim Bresnan lbw to Harris, but he then struck the same bowler over long-on for six on his way to his first half-century for Yorkshire off 103 balls.

Yorkshire gained maximum batting bonus points for the first time this season and Brophy and Steve Patterson had steamed the score on to 504 for eight at the 130-overs stage.

A throw at the stumps by Jonathan Trott missed and killed a pigeon grazing on the square before Carter picked up his fourth wicket by bowling Patterson.



Yorkshire will now aim to press home their huge advantage on day 3.