Lehmann breaks record with double hundred

Darren Lehmann blasted the highest score ever recorded in Roses Championship cricket at Headingley today - and he was still there at the close of the second day with a blistering 222 out of Yorkshire's 376 for five which left them three runs in front.

The Australian reached the historic milestone when he overtook the unbeaten 211 made by Maurice Leyland for Yorkshire at Headingley in 1930.

Lehmann never gave the remotest chance as he indulged himself in a thrilling brand of strokeplay which drew gasps of astonishment from the large crowd.

His century came off 153 balls with 11 fours and a six in exactly three hours and when he reached his double century with consecutive boundaries off Gary Keedy he was given a prolonged standing ovation.

Lehmann's second 100 used up just 86 deliveries and contained a further 17 fours.

Lancashire's last-wicket pair added 15 in the morning before John Wood fell with the score on 373 and Glen Chapple then struck a couple of early blows by dismissing both Craig White and Anthony McGrath in his opening spell.

But there was little joy for Lancashire after that as Lehmann dominated the scene, starting with a 169 stand in 44 overs with Matthew Wood who made a solid 86 off 163 balls with 16 fours before being caught behind off John Wood.

Lehmann from then on dominated to such an extent that David Byas contributed only seven to a stand of 61 for the fourth wicket and Gary Fellows' share of a 25 partnership was 5.

Richard Blakey came in at 300 for five and he was 17 not out at the close, helping Lehmann put on an unbroken 76 for the sixth wicket. Lehmann came in having batted for 317 minutes during which time he faced 256 balls and laced the field with 31 fours and a six.

Lehmann's score beat his previous best of 200 for Yorkshire and it was his 14th century for his adopted county and his third of the season.

He said afterwards: "I am delighted to have set up a Roses record but I had no idea I had done so while I was at the crease.

"I am also pleased that my innings helped take us into the lead and I hope we can build on it even further and go on to win the match."