Cricket latest: McGrath and Gale establish Yorkshire platform

YORKSHIRE are 236-3 at tea on the opening day of their County Championship match against Essex at Scarborough.

By The Newsroom

Published 4th May 2010, 13:27 BST

Updated 4th May 2010, 18:42 BST

Anthony McGrath is 69 not out and captain Andrew Gale unbeaten on 55 as Yorkshire established an excellent platform.

After resuming on 109-2 at lunch, Yorkshire continued to impress in the afternoon sunshine.

They lost Jacques Rudolph with the total on 150, the South African caught and bowled by Ryan ten Doeschate for 47, but McGrath and Gale frustrated Essex in expert style.

McGrath recorded his third successive Championship score of 50-plus, while Gale went to his half-century from just 47 balls with seven fours and a six.

The pair have added 86 for the fourth wicket in 20 overs.

Yorkshire: Lyth, Sayers, McGrath, Rudolph, Gale (captain), Bairstow, Rashid, Pyrah, Best, Patterson, Hannon-Dalby.

Essex: Godleman, Cook, Maunders, Mickleburgh, Walker, Pettini (Capt), Foster (Wkt), ten Doeschate, Phillips, Masters, Martin.

Keep checking the website for updates throughout the day.