County Championship: Ben Coad boosts wickets tally against Northants

Yorkshire will be promoted to Division One of the County Championship if they draw their game with Northamptonshire at Headingley after Ben Coad claimed three of six wickets to fall when play finally got under way after tea on day two.

Coad’s 3-29 from 12 overs, including his 300th first-class wicket, left Northamptonshire in trouble at 117-6 from 40 overs, handing Yorkshire two of the maximum 10 points they require to secure second place behind Sussex.

The start of play was delayed until 3.30pm because of first-day rain and a wet outfield.

Northamptonshire, with nothing to play for but holding on to fourth place in Division Two, were put in to bat, but George Hill also struck twice with his seamers and Jordan Thompson once.

Debutant Krish Patel, aged 18, impressed with 26 and George Bartlett top-scored with an unbeaten 41.

Yorkshire are aiming to hold off the challenge of third-placed Middlesex, who have seen the opening two days of their clash with leaders Sussex abandoned at Hove.