Swann floats serenely through war of roses

Yorkshire 515-5 dec Lancashire 330-6

Proust created a memorable character named Swann, who met most of life's tribulations philosophically. Lancashire's Alec may well be a relative, an opening batsman who passes amiably and reflectively by Gough and high water, through the darkest Silverwood. He may come from Northampton but yesterday, not out after almost seven hours of defiance, he wore the red rose as proudly as any of the famous last-ditchers of this fixture, Hallows, Makepeace or Pullar.

He was 31 overnight as Lancashire trudged towards 366 to avoid a follow-on; although he had been dropped when four, on Saturday and was dropped again when 67, his demeanour and patience never faltered. He saw Stuart Law complete a neat, precise 50 only to be bowled next ball by one that straightened, a shock even to that laconic outback ranger.

He watched Neil Fairbrother tickle the next delivery legside only for the ball to catch his pad and carry to a diving keeper. He then had to sit through a 25-over break for rain before facing Ryan Sidebottom's hat-trick ball, which brought a vociferous appeal for leg before.

He survived the attentions of seven bowlers, six of whom have played Test cricket and two of whom, Darren Gough and Craig White, must be hoping that the Lord's pitch on Thursday is friendlier to seam and swing; Sidebottom was Yorkshire's best, Richard Dawson the unluckiest.

Swann found useful allies in Warren Hegg and Peter Martin, the seventh-wicket pair finding that the new ball reached the boundary that much quicker. Gough's final spell lasted 18 balls and cost 20 runs. A draw now seems likely, a result that could tip both the northern giants into the Second Division.

And who was the last Lancastrian to carry his bat in a Roses match? Charlie Hallows, 72 years ago.