Hampshire v Yorkshire (day three, close): Andrew Gale weighs up Yorkshire's options on final day

IN THE RUNS: Yorkshire's Adam Lyth scored a half century at Southampton on day three against Hampshire.

The Division One rivals could only manage 19 overs of action as rain and then bad light truncated day three at the Ageas Bowl.

But while the forecast is for more of the same on the fourth and final day, Gale said the defending champions would try to “acclerate” the game to engineer some kind of positive result.

“The forecast is not great but we will see where we are at,” said Gale.

“The light wasn’t great and we are surprised we played as much as we did. When me and Gary were out there it was dark but we wanted to try and stay out there. It didn’t feel dangerous though.

“We can only do what is in front of us, but we will keep an eye on what is happening elsewhere.

“We will try to accelerate the game forward to get a result and while we’ll try to win the game no matter, we won’t throw the game away and take risks.”

Of chief concern to Gale and his players will be events at Edgbaston where Middlsex – five points ahead of Yorkshire going into this latest round of games – look well-placed to beat hosts Warwickshire.

IN THE RUNS: Yorkshire's Jake Lehmann. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

Going into the final day, Warwickshire trail the visitors by 263 runs with seven of their second innings wickets remaining.

Yorkshire visit Lord’s for the final game of the season on Tuesday, September 20.

In Southampton, what little action there was saw Adam Lyth score his third half century of the season in a stunted morning session.

He reached the milestone in 100 balls as he steadily built the visitors’ lead up, with Gary Ballance.

Former England opener Lyth was the only wicket to fall on the day, when he edged a pacy Brad Wheal good length ball to Sean Ervine at first slip.

Ballance proved to selectors why he should retain his middle-order international position with a fluent 46 not out.

But rain came down to bring lunch before just 2.5 overs were bowled in the afternoon as bad light prevented any more action.

Ballance and Andrew Gale put on an unbeaten 41-run stand as the Yorkshire lead moves to 203 going into the final day.