Taunton outcome shackles Yorkshire's ambitions as they settle for a draw

At Taunton seven days ago, stand-in captain Jacques Rudolph left Somerset needing 362 to win from 71 overs, a total they reached with 32 balls to spare.

On the south coast, Hampshire were given an impossible target of 356 from 22 overs and the match petered out into stalemate.

The decision may not have made for a welcome spectacle for the few hundred die-hards left inside the ground but it ensured Yorkshire maintained a strong position at the top of the County Championship.

Rain had curtailed the first hour's play due to a sodden surface and matters would have been worse but for Hampshire's new 500,000 drainage system which ensured a noon start.

With 16 overs lost to the elements, the belief was Yorkshire would press for some quick runs and set Hampshire a large target while leaving themselves enough time after lunch to claim all 10 wickets.

However, Anthony McGrath endured a miserly start as Dominic Cork claimed a maiden in the first over of the day, setting the tone for the truncated morning session.

Cork's following over saw the former England paceman remove McGrath as he miscued a hook shot, in attempting to raise the tempo, to Jimmy Adams at long-leg to depart for 64.

That proved the only notable action in a thoroughly dismal hour of cricket as Yorkshire added just 28 to their overnight total and it was clearly going to take a herculean effort from Adam Lyth and Rudolph to bat Hampshire out of sight and leave enough time for a win.

Rudolph emphasised his intentions with a strong six off Rangana Herath to push his side past the 200 mark but the run-rate was struggling to exceed three an over.

Seven overs later Rudolph was dismissed for 28 nicking Herath to wicketkeeper Nic Pothas and at 231-3 and with a lead of 295 Gale had a dilemma.

Electing to bat on, Lyth was then prevented from a second hundred of the match with Neil McKenzie taking a fine diving catch at second slip to earn David Balcombe a second wicket of the match and leave the England prospect on 98.

Still Yorkshire batted on with Gale's personal contribution scant as the captain went for 12 with Michael Carberry turning his hand to some rare off-spin, emphasising Hampshire's frustration.

The home side's irritation, as they would have fancied a chance for a second win of the season, was clear as after tea teenager James Vince emerged with the wicketkeeper's gloves on, perhaps as a slight to Gale's decision to bat out the draw.

It was not until 20 minutes after tea the declaration finally arrived amid sarcastic boos from the smattering of supporters left bored in their seats.

Jonathan Bairstow was unbeaten on 36 and Adil Rashid 11 but the game's conclusion was inevitable and had been for a good few hours.

Gale's decision will no doubt be criticised and, as an advert for the County Championship, it did little to fight the stereotype of it being an outdated and moribund competition. However, in light of events last week it was more than a little understandable.

The one pressing concern Yorkshire did have as Hampshire trotted reluctantly out for batting practice was to keep the over rate up and avoid any points deduction, which, given the circumstances would have been a real kick in the teeth.

To avoid this unpleasant outcome Gale allowed spinners Rashid and Joe Sayers to open the bowling, for probably the first and only time this season, and they stuck to their task, rattling through the overs.

Stumps were finally called at 5pm to disgruntled mumblings around the Rose Bowl with both sides claiming nine points.

Lyth now has the first three days of the weekend Roses match to claim the 147 he needs to become the first man since Graeme Hick 22 years ago to hit 1,000 first-class runs before the end of May.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Adam Lyth

Despite the game petering out into a draw, Lyth took centre stage with a battling 98, including nine fours, to add to his dashing first-innings knock of 133.