Wainwright century leaves Sussex in the mire

Sussex 25 for 3 (Nash 15*, Goodwin 1*) trail Yorkshire 400 for 9 dec (Rashid 111, Wainwright 104*) by 375 runs
Scorecard

Yorkshire's bowlers hauled their side back from the brink in spectacular style on the second day at Hove, first with the bat, and then - more conventionally - with the ball, as Adil Rashid made his second first-class century and David Wainwright, batting at No. 10 and playing in only his fourth match of the season, cruised to a chanceless and brilliant unbeaten 104. Their efforts, together with an invaluable 39 from Tim Bresnan and a typically obdurate 28 not out from 67 balls from Matthew Hoggard, allowed Yorkshire to convert a first-day scoreline of 80 for 6 into a full hand of batting points and a formidable 400 for 9 declared. By the close it was Sussex, 25 for 3 after Hoggard (twice) and Rashid had picked up a trio of lbws in nine overs, who feared the trapdoor opening beneath their feet.

The net result was a dramatic transformation of the permutations in a thrilling climax to the county season. With Kent floundering against Durham at Canterbury, and Lancashire locked in a mighty tussle down at Taunton, the identity of the second team to be relegated from the top flight is unlikely to be decided until the very last ball has been bowled. For the moment, however, Yorkshire have their destiny in their own hands, thanks to a furiously wagging tail that racked up 320 runs for the loss of three wickets.

Such a turnaround didn't look remotely likely when play resumed on the second morning with Rashid and Bresnan the not-out batsmen. But, after the debilitating loss of three wickets in the closing overs of the first day's play, the pair found the going far easier with the sun on their backs, and though Sussex's two main bowlers, Mohammad Sami and Jason Lewry, opened up with a pair of seven-over spells, they were unable to force the breakthrough. The tone had been set for the day.

Yorkshire's immediate aim when play began was to post a total, any total, and it was Bresnan to whom they initially turned for salvation. He offered a chance on 26 when he edged low to Chris Adams at slip, but batted with such solidity that it was a surprise when the spinner Ollie Rayner nailed him with his fourth ball of the match. Bresnan sized up a slog-sweep but found a thin inside-edge onto the pad, and Adams made amends with a low diving catch. Bresnan was not best pleased with the decision - perhaps he thought he'd been given out lbw - but his 67-ball effort had helped to double Yorkshire's total from their nadir of 80 for 6.

That minor recovery alone wasn't going to be enough to save their season, but Rashid pushed on nervelessly, bringing up his half-century from 89 balls with a dab down to third man. He lost another partner when Rich Pyrah drove loosely outside off at Robin Martin-Jenkins for Carl Hopkinson to gather a squirted edge at gully, and by lunch Yorkshire were 184 for 8, 16 runs adrift of their first bonus point. In placid conditions, however, with Wainwright looking comfortable and the dogged Hoggard to follow, Rashid had partners in whom he could trust, and in the afternoon session, Yorkshire's fightback really began.

Between lunch and tea, Yorkshire added 115 runs with scarcely a chance being offered to a wilting attack. Wainwright has some pedigree as a batsman, with a solitary first-class half-century against Bangladesh A to show for his efforts, but he matched Rashid's diligence and had reached 54 not out by the break, with four calmly selected fours in 113 balls. Rashid, however, was the main man, and he brought up his hundred from 174 balls when he uppercut Martin-Jenkins through backward point for his seventh four.

Rashid's coolly understated celebrations demonstrated his focus. By then Yorkshire had moved past 300 for their third batting point, but were determined to keep up the accumulation. Sami, however, eventually ended the pair's 140-run stand when umpire Richard Illingworth adjudged Rashid lbw for a career-best 111. If Sussex believed that would be the end of their woes, however, they were sorely mistaken, as Hoggard and Wainwright embarked on a 82-run unbeaten stand that wrung the last ounce of resolve out of their opponents. Towards the end of the innings, they had to make do without Matt Prior behind the stumps, who left the field as a precaution after bruising his right hand. He is expected to bat without any concerns on Friday.

Wainwright's approach was clinical. He offered a broad and straight bat to anything in line with the stumps, and cultured aggression to all other deliveries. With Hoggard hustling between the wickets and providing the wisdom of an old pro, he marched into uncharted territory before bringing his milestone up with an impressive double-whammy - a swing for six over fine leg off Martin-Jenkins, and then a wallop for four through the covers from his very next delivery, a juicy full-toss outside off from Michael Yardy that prompted a yell of triumph and a delighted punch of the air.

Soon afterwards, with the fifth batting point in the bag, McGrath put an end to Sussex's toil and sent them out to face nine taxing overs before the close. The sun was still shining and the pitch was still flat, but not as flat as Sussex's morale. Hoggard, whose international reputation was fostered on pitches such as these, was too good for Yardy, whom he beat at will outside off before his late swing beat an attempted flick to leg. Two balls later, Rashid capped his day by sending Ollie Rayner on his way for a golden duck, and then it was back to Hoggard to provide the coup de grace, as Hopkinson also swished across the line.

Three prime wickets in the bag in the closing moments of the day... it had a familiar ring about it. It remains to be seen, however, whether Sussex can respond to the indignity with the same resolve that Yorkshire produced. It could make or break their season.