Cricket round-up: McGrath revives Yorkshire ambitions

cricket round-up

Anthony McGrath emulated Michael di Venuto by standing tall where others had meekly surrendered as title-chasing Yorkshire secured an unlikely first-innings lead at Chester-le-Street yesterday.

Durham closed the day on 207 for 6 after Mark Stoneman's 78 but after three wickets for Oliver Hannon-Dalby – standing in while Tim Bresnan fulfilled his duties for England at The Oval – Yorkshire will feel they have an opportunity to maintain the pressure on the leaders Nottinghamshire by securing a fifth victory of the season.

McGrath had fought doggedly to 28 off 85 balls on Monday evening and was his side's last hope at 125 for 7. But, with conditions easier yesterday, he added 96 off 108 balls, finishing unbeaten on 124 as Yorkshire made 255 for a lead of 42.

Stoneman and Gordon Muchall put on 84 for the second Durham wicket but both were dismissed with Durham's second innings on 134. Hannon-Dalby, who had dismissed first-innings centurion Di Venuto, added the wickets of Ian Blackwell and Phil Mustard as the home side closed with a lead of 165.

Sri Lankan officials have apologised to the Indian opener Virender Sehwag after he was denied a century by Suraj Randiv's no-ball in their Tri-nations one-dayer at Dambulla on Monday.

Needing one run for his century and with the scores level, Sehwag hit a six off the final delivery of the match only for a no-ball to be signalled, which meant Sehwag's runs did not count and India had won.