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Tenacious Sayers puts the Tykes in control
JOE SAYERS was left stranded one run short of his 150 as Yorkshire were dismissed for 414 on day three of their LV County Championship match against Durham.
Resuming on 136 not out overnight, Sayers progressed to 149 before finally running out of partners at the other end.
Darren Gough was caught behind by wicketkeeper Philip Mustard off Steve Harmison after reaching his 50.
Ajmal Shahzad was then caught out for two, off the bowling of Graham Onions, before Matthew Hoggard became Harmison's sixth victim of the innings as Yorkshire were all out before lunch.
Sayers had evoked memories of Geoff Boycott at Headingley yesterday when he displayed massive powers of concentration while completing a six-and-a-half-hour century on the second day.
The 23-year-old Oxford Blue, dropped when only three on the first evening, took Yorkshire to 368-7 by the close and gave them an overnight lead of 94.
Sayers never flinched as he faced a Durham attack which included England paceman Harmison, who eventually finished with 6-87.
The fine form shown by Sayers has given Yorkshire a problem because he had previously looked favourite to have to stand down when England captain Michael Vaughan returns for the game against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl next week.
Harmison was hooked for six early in the second day by Younis Khan, who made 42 before Callum Thorp had him caught behind, and fellow left-hander Andrew Gale then helped Sayers maintain the steady progress with a 93 stand in 36 overs.
Gale fell lbw to Harmison for 36 and while Sayers continued his patient vigil the Yorkshire innings was given momentum by wicketkeeper Gerard Brophy, who contributed a sweetly-struck 80 to a fifth-wicket stand of 130 in 36 overs.
Sayers moved steadily through the 90s to complete his century off 104 overs and 318 balls with 10 boundaries, but the stand ended at 316 when Brophy trod on his stumps against Harmison.
Yorkshire were by now 42 in front but they suddenly dipped as Adil Rashid was bowled by Ottis Gibson and it became three wickets in as many overs for the addition of two runs as Harmison had Tim Bresnan neatly taken at first slip by Gareth Breese.
Captain Gough came in to lend the stubborn Sayers further valuable support as he surpassed his previous best championship score of 122 not out, going on the attack by sweeping Breese for four to bring up the 350 and bring his side a third batting bonus point in the 127th over.
Gough slammed consecutive balls from Thorp through mid-wicket for four and six and at the close Sayers was still battling away after surviving for eight hours and 20 minutes.
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Weather for Leeds
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
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