Tykes grateful for let-offs (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Tykes grateful for let-offs

1:47pm Thursday 2nd July 2009 in

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Matthew Hoggard completed his five-for with the tenth ball of the day and Yorkshire then built up their lead to 179 by lunch.

But the Tykes lost two key batsmen and were thankful for more than one let off in the field in the early stages of day three at Taunton.

Somerset resumed on 326 for nine and failed to add anything to their overnight score when Hoggard found movement to force Charl Willoughby to edge into he gloves of Jonathan Bairstow for six.

It was undeniably advantage Yorkshire at that stage but, on the most overcast day of the game so far and with the threat of rain at any time, the Somerset attack were blessed with very exploitable conditions.

The Tykes have long leaned on the ever-dependable Jacques Rudolph for runs but he followed up his 191 from the first innings with a second-ball duck.

Willoughby sublimely swept the ball away from the South African, who edged to Marcus Trescothick’s outstretched left hand for an excellent catch.

Joe Sayers looked more nervous than his much-improved form this season would suggest and the strike pairing of Willoughby and Alfonso Thomas caused him no end of problems early on.

But the opener showed great character to scrap his way through to lunch unbeaten on 34.

Anthony McGrath was put down early in his innings but was then removed half an hour from the interval when playing on to Willoughby for 25.

Sayers and Adam Lyth were also both dropped from regulation chances at slip and gully to ensure Yorkshire remained in the ascendancy at lunch on 67 for two.