Gale pulverises Nottinghamshire once more

Here were two more reasons why Yorkshire's grip on the County Championship may be difficult to loosen, for all the qualities of Durham, Warwickshire and the others who might fancy their chances. For all the disruptive effects of England's plundering of their talents, there seems always to be someone ready to shoulder responsibility for keeping the home fires burning; in this case there were two, a captain determined to keep proving his value as a player and a rising star inspired by the achievement of those around him.

Andrew Gale and Jack Leaning have scored 251 for the fourth wicket and did not walk off leaving the impression that they are done, even though they will face a tricky first session on day three against a new ball only just taken, and in the hands of an England bowler - Stuart Broad - who will be straining to put it to good use.

From a difficult beginning, they turned the second day into one of the best of Yorkshire's season so far. Gale's 144, his first century since July last year, was typical of the man, underpinned by the knowledge that he must work harder than ever now, with so much thrusting competition, to make his wicket a hard-won prize, but bold enough to remind the Headingley crowd, and the opposition, that he can still play a shot or two, no matter who is bowling at him.

These opponents, in fact, are only too aware of Gale's ability. His record against Nottinghamshire is outstanding, amounting to more than 1,000 of his 7,000 first-class runs, with four centuries, capped by his career-best 272 at Trent Bridge in 2013.

Gale has been selfless enough to leave himself out during periods of struggle in the past but will be making no sacrifice of that nature in the immediate future. He looks in fine form, placing his shots well and striking the ball cleanly, as he demonstrated just after completing his hundred, hitting Broad through gaps in the offside field for two boundaries in three balls.

Leaning, meanwhile, batted with the qualities that have quickly become familiar. He stands admirably still in the crease, creating an air of calm authority, yet he measures up fully to the impression he makes, carefully leaving the good balls, picking off the poorer ones with a full repertoire of classical strokes, seldom looking in trouble.

He was up against Broad and Ben Hilfenhaus, high class Test bowlers present and past, and they used all the devices they knew to try to unsettle him, yet he never flinched. Then he completed his third career hundred, all of them made this season, by hoisting Samit Patel's left-arm spin over long-on for six. It is difficult indeed to think he is only 21.

After the uncharacteristic petulance of the Nottinghamshire captain, James Taylor, following his first-day dismissal for a first-ball duck, it was pleasing to see Patel restore faith in the county's good nature by offering congratulations to both batsmen as they left the field at the close.

Broad bowled well, although in short bursts. It might have served Nottinghamshire better, given that their attack lacks for experience, if he had been able to build up more of a head of steam but England expect counties to use their bowlers as per instruction, or else with the application of common sense. Therefore, four-over spells were the order of the day.

Even so, he claimed wickets in each of his first two spells. In his first Championship appearance in a year, he struck wuth his third ball, bowled full to trap England team-mate Adam Lyth leg before without scoring. It was Lyth's first duck in 26 first-class innings since he was caught behind off Peter Siddle against Nottinghamshire here in June last year, since which time he has scored six centuries and five additional fifties.

Broad followed up in his second spell by going round the wicket to bowl Alex Lees, whose run of poor returns continued with a scratchy 65-ball 15.

Since his hundred against Notts at Trent Bridge in April, the England Lions opener has managed only 128 in nine innings in the Championship and 38 from four knocks in Twenty20 and with Gary Ballance also dismissed cheaply, caught off Hilfenhaus by a cunningly placed leg gully as he flicked one round the corner off his legs, Yorkshire were in a spot of bother at 51 for 3.

They are not now, although their lead is not large enough yet, despite Gale and Leaning's partnership knocking Ted Lester and Willie Watson (210 at Trent Bridge in 1952) out of the record books for Yorkshire's fourth wicket against Nottinghamshire, to feel they have the match under control.

Nonetheless, Nottinghamshire looked a little chastened by the close, aware too that Yorkshire's lead would be bigger still but for a 65-run partnership for their ninth wicket between Luke Wood and Ben Hilfenhaus, which gained them the bonus of a batting point.

To add to their woes, Michael Lumb, just back from an arm operation, was unable to field because of a swollen foot, sustained when he was out leg before to Tim Bresnan, while his replacement on the field, the young off-spinner Matthew Carter, now has a twisted ankle to go with the disappointment of being left out, despite his extraordinary 7 for 56 on debut last week. Lumb is expected to bat again.

What is more, Taylor, captain in the absence of Chris Read, is facing two ECB disciplinary charges following his reaction to being out on Monday, one for dissent, by gesture at least, before he left the field, another for striking an advertising hoarding with his bat on his way to the dressing room.

For a player with a reputation for being measured in all he does, it was unprecedented behaviour. Yet, with the ECB clamping down on discipline on the field, he is likely to find himself with six points on his record and the threat of a ban should he transgress again in the next two years.

Of concern to Yorkshire is the fitness of Aaron Finch, hurt batting for Yorkshire's Second XI in Worcestershire on Monday. The Australian coughed up blood after being hit in the ribs and a scan suggested bruising to a lung, although a full medical report has still to be issued.