HOVE

(Day two of four: Sussex won toss)

Sussex, with seven first inings wickets in hand, are 375 runs behind Yorkshire

Lunch

Cometh sunshine, cometh runs. A determined, eminently sensible partnership of 80 by Adil Rashid and Tim Bresnan for the seventh wicket, put together with little risk-taking in only 19 overs, rescued Yorkshire from ignominy and gave them a realistic chance of a badly needed batting bonus point, or an even more crucial second. If they reach 250, take all three bowling points and Kent should lose against Durham, Yorkshire could avoid relegation even if they lose this game. Otherwise, they will probably have to win it.

Rashid, still only 20, has not made so many runs as last year but his third fifty of the season showed much character and occasional glimpses of real élan. He often stood out of his crease to get his small, slight frame to the pitch of the ball but he is a more dangerous batsman off the back foot. He fed off anything short by steering it to third man or occasionally cutting harder in front of square.

Bresnan, much improved all round this year and again likely this winter to be invited to join the England Performance Squad (the latest terminology, I understand), batted solidly. Unlike his partner, he favours the front foot. That invited some bouncers from Mohammad Sami but he evaded them without fuss on a pitch now looking more like its normal docile self. The breakthrough came at last when Chris Adams turned to Ollie Rayner, whose third ball spooned wide of slip off bat and pad. Adams dived to his right to hold the catch, atonement for one missed earlier when Bresnan, then 26, edged Jason Lewry in the air to his right at second slip.

Robin Martin-Jenkins took the only other wicket of the morning two overs before lunch. He has kept going well in his benefit year, had spells at both ends and induced a lobbed drive to cover point from Richard Pyrah. It was very well held, diving forwards, by the newly capped Carl Hopkinson.

Tea

Not only did Yorkshire reach 250, but a third bonus point was only a run away at tea after a triumphant afternoon for Adil Rashid and his spin bowling partner David Wainwright who both excelled themselves with the bat. Adding a further 115 between lunch and tea, and 121 so far for the ninth wicket, they survived bursts from each of Sussex's successful fast bowlers on the first day, feeding with spirit and skill on rather too much short of a length bowling on a pitch now demanding a patient line and length.

Robin Martin-Jenkins (2 for 41 from 24 overs) came closest to providing what was needed but he had little luck against Rashid outside the off stump and shortly before tea the wristy little right-hander reached a feisty and exceptionally valuable second first-class hundred. It is a question only of when he will play for England but there is no hurry.

Wainwright, 23 and left-handed, has always looked another genuinely useful little cricketer. From the moment he came in he looked comfortable and well organised. He made 49 of the hundred partnership and was generously applauded moments later for his second first-class fifty by a crowd approaching 2000, basking in soft Autumn sunshine but, like the Sussex players, becoming increasingly frustrated by the home team's lack of progress. From 80 for six it has been a remarkable revovery.

Psychologically, it is hard to assess its importance and with matches see-sawing elsewhere all scenarios still seem open in a Championship that is bound to go to the last day of the season before issues are resolved.

What is pretty certain is that from a parochial Yorkshire viewpoint this has been the most important day of the year so far. Unless Sussex bat poorly they ought to be capable of making sure of a draw here but they will have to bat last on a pitch that will probably be giving Rashid and Wainwright some help come Saturday afternoon.

Close

The triumph of Adil Rashid and David Wainwright became complete when both reached hundreds, Rashid's second, Wainwright's first, before a last wicket stand of 80 set up a declaration at 400 for nine with a fifth batting bonus point safely in the bag. It was an almost unimaginable transformation after positions of 80 for six and 178 for eight.

Predictably Yorkshire rammed their advantage home in a dramatic last half hour, Hoggard swinging the new ball to claim two lbws after batting calmly for his 28 not out and Rashid one, perhaps a mite fortunately, with his second ball.

If Yorkshire bowl Sussex out for fewer than 200 they will, realistically stay up. If Sussex reach 250 and draw they, too, should be safe by virtue of overtaking Kent. On what is still a true pitch they ought to be capable of that but as today's events confirm, it's a rum game.