Cricket

Yorkshire's dominance continued in their Vitality County Championship clash against Northamptonshire, as they extended their lead to 61 runs despite a valiant century from the home side's captain, Luke Procter.Resuming on 312 for 7, Yorkshire added 50 runs to their overnight total, with Jordan Thompson reaching his first half-century of the season. However, the innings was wrapped up quickly, with Sanderson claiming three wickets and Rob Keogh dismissing Dom Leech for a duck.Northamptonshire's response began promisingly, with Ricardo Vasconcelos and Emilio Gay putting on 56 for the first wicket. But Fernando struck twice in quick succession, removing Vasconcelos and Gay, and Yorkshire looked to be in control.However, Procter led a spirited fightback, sharing half-century partnerships with Ben Sanderson and Jack White. The skipper's unbeaten 116, his first century in almost two years, ensured Northamptonshire reached 301, just 61 runs behind Yorkshire's first-innings total.Fernando was the pick of the Yorkshire bowlers, taking 4 for 48 on his debut. Matthew Revis also impressed, claiming two wickets, while Sanderson and Keogh chipped in with one each.Yorkshire's openers, Adam Lyth and Harry Brook, negotiated the final over of the day without loss, leaving the visitors in a strong position heading into day three.

Northamptonshire's Emilio Gay celebrated his 24th birthday in style, smashing an unbeaten 165 to lead his team to a commanding position on day one of their Vitality County Championship match against Middlesex at Wantage Road.Gay, who has now scored five first-class centuries, found an able ally in skipper Luke Procter, who contributed 73 in a 189-run partnership that eclipsed Northamptonshire's previous highest second-wicket stand against Middlesex.After being put into bat, Northamptonshire lost opener Jason Broad early on, but Gay and Procter took control, frustrating the Middlesex bowlers on a docile wicket. Gay looked vulnerable early on, but grew in confidence, playing some attractive shots and taking on the short ball.Procter, who had made 92 against Sussex in their previous match, was solid in defense and played some crisp attacking shots. The pair took Northamptonshire to 106 for one at lunch and continued to score at a steady pace after the break.As Middlesex resorted to short-pitched bowling, Procter was struck under the armpit by Roland-Jones, but otherwise remained largely untroubled. Gay, on the other hand, took a more attacking approach, pulling and driving with authority.Gay reached his century in style, slashing Higgins through point for his ninth boundary. After the interval, Procter fell to de Caires, but Karun Nair joined Gay and added 86 runs before being dismissed for 41.With the new ball, Ethan Bamber and Roland-Jones found some movement off the seam, but Gay remained unfazed, playing some exquisite shots and taking Northamptonshire to a dominant position of 311 for three at the close of play.