Yorkshire have made a positive start as they pursue 314 in a minimum of 84 overs to beat Gloucestershire during today’s final day at Scarborough.

The White Rose county can take a significant step towards sealing a return to the County Championship’s Division One with a third win of the season following the decision from both captains to manufacture a run chase on day four.

Joe Root (26 not out) and Adam Lyth shared 72 inside 18 overs for the first wicket before the latter fell to a needless shot for 40, pulling Anthony Ireland to Liam Norwell at mid-on.

Yorkshire have gone into the break at 82-1 from 20 overs, needing another 232 to win in two sessions. Phil Jaques is the other not out batsman.

Yorkshire started the day by declaring their first innings at 61-2 in reply to 215, which left them with a deficit of 154.

Andrew Gale and Adam Lyth bowled five overs apiece and allowed Rob Nicol and Benny Howell, Gloucester’s opening pair, to rack up 159-0 declared from ten overs. Nicol finished on 75 off 26 balls and Howell 83 off 34 balls. Gale conceded 71 and Lyth 88.