A YORKSHIRE batting collapse has set up an interesting final day as Somerset took 5-11 late on a rain-affected day three in Taunton.

Yorkshire went from 226-4 to 237-9 after Somerset had earlier declared at 562-7, but a rearguard action prevented any further damage.

Tailenders Jack Brooks (34) and Steve Patterson (32) saw out the final 19 overs, taking Yorkshire to 306-9 and preventing an evening attack on the top order under dark skies.

The partnership has dented Somerset’s chances of winning this match as they must now take 11 final-day wickets and do so among some predicted rain.

Earlier in the day opener Adam Lyth provided the Yorkshire highlight, passing his second hundred for the season.

Resuming on 80, Lyth spent just four balls in the 90s, and on 97 cracked a lovely cover drive to the fence to bring up his hundred.

Lyth, who has scored 806 runs at Taunton in just seven matches, said he felt good at the crease.

“I love batting down here,” he said, after finishing with 106 off 180 balls.

“It’s pretty flat and if you get past the new ball it doesn’t do much so it was nice to cash in.”

He said the last wicket stand was invaluable, and the Yorkshire batsmen needed to mentally prepare for a dry day tomorrow.

“Brooksy and Patto have done a fantastic job for us going forward to save this match, so that was really pleasing.

“Obviously there looks like there’s a bit of rain about tomorrow, but there’s nothing we can do with that. We’ve got to prepare to face 96 overs. And I’d be very surprised if we can’t do that.”

Players were forced from the field on numerous occasions due to rain and bad light, frustrating those on the field and in the stands.

In total 36 overs were lost which, for the punters pushing for a result on a flat wicket, could prove too many.

In hindsight the delays may have thwarted Somerset’s chances of victory, although had they broken the ninth wicket partnership early, things may have been different.

Earlier in the day, Somerset took the wicket of Stamford Bridge’s Will Rhodes (15) early, before Lyth and skipper Andrew Gale (8) were both caught at first slip.

Gary Ballance and Jack Leaning then steadied the ship, and at one stage it appeared the day’s play may be called off due to rain. But as the clouds cleared, so did Yorkshire’s concentration.

Leaning was soon caught behind, before Ballance and Rashid were involved in a horrible mix-up where both players were caught at one end.

There is always one victim, and Rashid took the hit. Seven balls later Ballance was joining his teammate in the rooms, nicking behind to a brilliant delivery from Tim Groenewald (3-50).

Groenewald then sent returning wicketkeeper Andrew Hodd packing, cart wheeling his middle stump for a third-ball duck.

Liam Plunkett looked like he had seen enough, and whacked Groenewald back over his head for four.

But the next ball he too was walking back, a cut shot catching the edge and caught by a sharp Ryan Davies behind the stumps.

Brooks and Patterson played some expansive shots early, but grew into their partnership, perhaps realising its importance the longer they remained at the crease.

They remained not out, perhaps one of the most important innings they will play this season.