A Gale blew its way through North Marine Road yesterday and the 4,000 fans watching Yorkshire's match against Warwickshire loved every minute of it.

Andrew Gale, the 22-year-old left-hander, hammered out his maiden century to tighten the Tykes' grip on the Champion-ship game and, at the same time, demonstrate what an exciting batsman he can be.

Gale powered his way to 149 as he guided Yorkshire to maximum batting bonus points for the first time this season and a massive final score of 536 for a first-innings lead of 335.

In the process, he helped Gerard Brophy pile up 162 for the seventh wicket, a county record against Warwickshire, beating the 136 by George Hirst and Schofield Haigh in Birmingham 102 years ago.

Born in Wakefield, Gale has already made a big name for himself at a local level, blasting over 1,000 runs last season for Cleckheaton in the Bradford League and this year churning out big scores for Driffield in the Yorkshire League.

But until yesterday, Gale had struggled to make his mark in Yorkshire's first team since his debut in 2004. In six previous first-class games he had batted 11 times and managed only 94 runs, so something special was required yesterday to make up for his poor start.

Gale strode to the crease at 160 for four after Joe Sayers had fallen for 72 and nightwatchman Jason Gillespie had also departed for a plucky 25.

Gale was happy to settle in quietly, letting Michael Lumb play the classier shots in a stand of 117 for the fifth wicket before Lumb was deceived and bowled by left-arm spinner Paul Harris for 57.

Almost immediately Gale, having just completed his half-century, survived a chance when he drove Harris straight to Mark Wagh at mid-on and he put down a sitter.

Adil Rashid marked his debut with a couple of boundaries and showed a plucky spirit but it was after he had fallen for ten, to a bat-pad catch off the patient Harris, that Gale took charge, dominating his stand with Brophy.

Tea, like lunch, was taken early because of light rain and on the resumption Gale swept his way through the 90s, an exquisite cover drive taking him to his century off 158 balls with 18 fours, his bat held high in joyous response to a standing ovation.

Harris returned for another stint and Gale smacked him over mid-wicket for six but in trying to sweep the spinner to his 150 he was bowled after receiving 208 balls and hitting 23 fours.

Brophy completed his first half-century since joining the county at the start of the season and last man Deon Kruis gave him late support.

But, in trying to hit the final ball of the day from Harris for four, Brophy was bowled for 97 from 146 deliveries with 11 fours and a six, Harris returning figures of five for 134 from 44 overs.

Gillespie called to Aussie training camp

Yorkshire are to lose star overseas fast bowler Jason Gillespie for the last 11 days in August.

He is returning to Australia to attend a training camp in preparation for the Ashes series, the Champions' Trophy and next year's World Cup in the Carribean.

After an indifferent start to the county season, Gillespie has now hit top form and his six for 37 haul against Durham at Riverside on Sunday was the best return by a Yorkshire bowler for three years.

The fact that Gillespie has been told to attend the camp shows that he is very much in the frame to play a part in the Ashes series, although he refused to speculate on whether he will make the squad.

"All I am concentrating on at the moment is bowling for Yorkshire and I am not thinking that far ahead," he said.

"All 25 contracted players have been instructed to attend the camp in Brisbane, so I have no choice but to go, but I would have preferred to keep on bowling with Yorkshire rather than get backache from a 20-hour flight."

Gillespie lost his place after three of the Ashes Tests in England last summer, when he managed only three wickets for 300 runs, but was recalled by Australia for the two-match Test series in Bangladesh in early April.

His absence is a blow to Yorkshire because it means he will miss the NatWest Pro40 floodlit match against Worcester-shire at Headingley on August 22 and the Pro40 visit to The Oval for the Surrey game on August 27.

Gillespie will also be absent for the Championship clash with Middlesex at Scarborough which starts on August 30.