Rain ruins Northants and Yorkshire game

Yorkshire had to settle for 10 points from a draw as the weather ruined the prospect of a good finish against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.

The visitors needed 243 for victory going into the final day's play, and had reached 10-1 from 7.4 overs when rain halted proceedings at 11.35am.

Conditions failed to improve, and the match was duly abandoned after an early tea at 3.30pm.

The Northants spinners, Jason Brown and Graeme Swann, were expected to find some last-day assistance in the pitch, but it was the seamers who enjoyed themselves at the start.

Paul Taylor and Michael Strong were both able to swing the new ball under heavy, overcast skies, and Taylor struck an early blow when he trapped Matthew Wood leg-before with 2 on the board.

Scott Richardson and Michael Lumb were at the crease when the rain started, and despite the draw Yorkshire are still 33 points clear of their nearest challengers Somerset at the top of Division One.

For their part, Northants are still without a Championship win this season as they battle to avoid relegation.