Close, day two: Middlesex 212 & 127-4 lead Yorkshire 229 by 110 runs
Toby Roland-Jones claimed four wickets but an unbeaten century from Jonny Bairstow saw Yorkshire shade an enthralling second day against Middlesex at Headingley.
Bairstow’s 125 gave his side a first-innings lead which had seemed unlikely after Roland-Jones had struck twice in the first over to reduce Yorkshire to 96-6.
The lower order all stuck around to support Bairstow, who clobbered four sixes in a last-wicket partnership of 59 which wiped out Middlesex’s advantage.
Roland-Jones ended with 4-78, while Tim Murtagh took three wickets and James Harris two.
Middlesex had little trouble in reaching 45-0 at tea but Yorkshire stormed back into the match in the second over of the evening session thanks to two wickets in two balls from James Brooks.
Brooks, who took 5-44 in Middlesex’s first innings, had Joe Burns caught at second slip by Adam Lyth and then immediately trapped Nick Compton lbw.
Sam Robson made 34 before falling lbw to Steven Patterson and when Neil Dexter fell in similar fashion to Tim Bresnan, Middlesex were struggling on 72-4, just 55 ahead.
But Dawid Malan (33 not out) and James Franklin (26 not out) rebuilt the innings with an unbroken stand 55 that they will hope to extend on Tuesday if Middlesex are to set Yorkshire an imposing target.
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This post was last modified on 09/06/2015