YORKSHIRE were 48 for two, still needing 123 to avoid an innings defeat, at lunch on the final day of their Specsavers County Championship Division One game against Middlesex at Scarborough.

It had been a tough morning for the home side, who had seen the visitors take their first-innings total to 577 before they removed both Adam Lyth and Kane Williamson in the hour before the break.

Lyth was caught at third slip by James Franklin off Toby Roland-Jones for 23, while Kane Williamson was taken at the wicket by John Simpson for four off the same bowler, who was the undoubted player of the morning at North Marine Road.

The first 40 minutes of the day’s play had seen a ferocious assault on the Yorkshire bowling by Roland-Jones and Tim Murtagh, who added 107 runs in 9.4 overs as they sought to increase their side’s lead as rapidly as possible.

At one stage, 62 runs were scored off 21 balls, with five successive sixes being hit off Azeem Rafiq and Jack Brooks, who were the chief sufferers from the astonishing attack by the two very capable tail-enders.

Yorkshire’s bowlers and fielders were left to regret their dropping of Roland-Jones when he had made only 18 and the score was a mere 479, Steve Patterson putting down the chance at long leg off Brooks.

Lyth eventually ended the innings by taking two wickets with successive deliveries, Murtagh being caught and bowled off a stinging low drive for 47 and Steven Finn skying his first ball to Rafiq at cover.

Roland-Jones was left undefeated on 79, having hit six sixes and half a dozen fours in his 51-ball innings.

Brooks remained the most successful bowler with figures of 5-137, while Lyth ended his spell with 2-9.

Middlesex’s total of 577 is their highest score in first-class matches against Yorkshire.

Yorkshire’s NatWest T20 Blast game against Derbyshire on Sunday has now be switched from Chesterfield to Derby but the start time remains ar 2.30pm.