YORKSHIRE captain Andrew Gale heralded a “fairytale year” as he surpassed 1000 Championship runs for the season and led the Tykes into a commanding position against Sussex.

The left-hander made 67 while Tim Bresnan (50no) also hit a half-century as the county champions ended the penultimate day of their campaign with a lead of 301 on 298-9.

“It’s only the second time I’ve done it, and I knew I needed a big game to get over the line, but it’s something I’m very proud of,” Gale said.

“I’ve felt like I’ve been hitting the ball well and made some good contributions. To get 1000 runs and win the Championship is a bit of a fairytale year really.”

Resuming on 55-1, Yorkshire lost Gary Ballance (45) early as he played on off the bowling of Steve Magoffin, but Adam Lyth and Gale batted patiently in a stand of 58 for the third wicket.

But having battled through the majority of the morning session, Lyth (39) chopped on off the bowling of Lewis Hatchett shortly before rain brought a premature end to the morning session.

Despite an early lunch being called, further heavy showers saw 19 overs lost from the day before Jonny Bairstow and Gale put on 67 for the fourth wicket.

Bairstow (36) was the main aggressor before being trapped by a vicious in-swinger from Chris Jordan, and Jack Leaning (9) followed shortly before tea as he was well caught by Jordan at first slip off Chris Liddle.

Gale perished shortly after tea to the same combination, this time with the catch taken at leg-gully, before Adil Rashid (21) and Liam Plunkett (4) fell victim to the new ball.

Bresnan and Jack Brooks added 47 for the ninth wicket, but the latter was unable to see out the day as he was caught behind off Hatchett from the final ball of the day.