County Championship 2022 | Root shines for Yorkshire, but the home side continues to dwell on the edge

Yorkshire's first task on the final day will be to score ten runs and avoid the follow-on. The home side depicted dogged resistance on day 3, but Lancashire still managed to leave them reeling at 356/8. Former England skipper Joe Root rose to the occasion for Yorkshire with a fine century, missing the 150-run mark by just three runs.

Tom Loten and George Hill resumed the proceedings, with the scorecard reading 53/2. Both the overnight batters did not last long as, firstly, Loten made his way back to the pavilion. Tom Bailey trapped him in front of the wickets on 6. Then, James Anderson prized out Hill on 25, leaving Yorkshire struggling at 68/4.

Harry Brook, sitting at the top of the leading run-scorer chart in Division I, joined Root in the middle. Unruffled by the tricky circumstances, the duo began playing at a brisk rate, especially Brook. In 33 balls, he scored 41 runs, with 36 runs coming off boundaries. However, Matthew Parkinson had the last laugh as he castled Brook, ending a 66-run partnership.

Brook's wicket brought Harry Duke to the crease. He performed his task of holding one end and supporting Root to perfection. In the meantime, Root reached his century, announcing his return to the domestic arena in style.

In the third session, Duke got dismissed on 40 by Parkinson after seeing off 202 deliveries. His patient knock allowed Yorkshire to not crumble under pressure.

Dominic Bess and Root added 43 runs for the seventh wicket. However, when Yorkshire looked to control the situation again, the visitors pushed them on the backfoot with quick wickets. 

First, Root became Parkinson's third victim, ending an enterprising knock studded with thirteen fours. Tom Bailey then got Bess out LBW, leaving Yorkshire stuttering at 331/8.

Jordan Thompson and skipper Steven Patterson avoided further damage till stumps. They would like to make Lancashire bat again and take the game towards a draw.

Brief scores

Lancashire 1st innings: 556/9

Keaton Jennings 238(408), Steven Croft 104(231);

Dominic Bess 151/3, Jordan Thompson 87/2;

Yorkshire 1st innings: 356/8

Joe Root 147, Harry Brook 41, Harry Duke 40;

Tom Bailey 56/3, Matthew Parkinson 79/3;

Yorkshire trail by 210 runs (need 10 runs to avoid follow-on)