Cricket latest: Brophy century rescues Yorkshire

The South African is unbeaten on 76 at tea with Yorkshire struggling on 197-7 in reply to Worcestershire’s first innings 286.

But for Brophy’s contribution, Yorkshire would have conceded a first-innings deficit of 100-plus.

As it is, they are inching closer to the home side’s total on another glorious day at New Road.

After resuming on 97-4 after lunch, Yorkshire lost their fifth wicket on 104 when captain Andrew Gale was caught behind by Ben Cox off a fine delivery by Damien Wright.

Gale made 27 and, like Adam Lyth before him, looked in fluent touch.

Adil Rashid failed to follow up his heroics with the ball - the leg-spinner claimed 6-77 on the opening day - when he fell for four, driving away from his body at Wright to be caught by Gareth Andrew in the gully.

Yorkshire slipped to 155-7 in the 50th over when Richard Pyrah went lbw to spinner Moeen Ali’s third ball.

At that stage, 131 behind with only three wickets in hand, Yorkshire could have been back in the hutch by the tea interval.

But some fine strokes from Brophy - his straight-driving, in particular, has been a joy - kept Yorkshire in the hunt against a side widely-tipped to be relegated this year.

Brophy went on to make his century as Yorkshire reached 243-7 late in the day.