County Championship Division One

Day three: Yorkshire 253 and 400-5, Middlesex 232

Yorkshire 5pts; Middlesex 4pts

It was difficult to tell who was flatter on day three in Scarborough - the wicket or Middlesex bowlers.

Both played their part in seeing Yorkshire to a 421-run lead going into the final day.

Resuming on 29-1, Yorkshire closed on 400-5 led by Andrew Gale's innings of 126 not out including 13 fours.

Alex Lees (67), Kane Williamson (62) and Jack Leaning (76) also scored half-tons as Yorkshire turned the screw.

Tim Murtagh (3-64) was the bright spot on a tough day for the bowlers, but the word ‘bright’ was relative.

Good catch: Dawid Malan

The sky above was big and blue, and the gaps for home batsmen seemed as big when Williamson and Lees batted throughout the morning session to put on 117 in 31 overs.

Their second-wicket partnership was finally ended at 132 when Williamson cut Murtagh and was caught one-handed above his head by Ollie Rayner.

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Lees followed four overs later to a low catch by a second slip, Dawid Malan, but everyone donning a Middlesex cap had better get his head down to save the game come the inevitable declaration.