CHE PUJARA’S first century for Yorkshire and three late wickets for Jack Brooks helped put the Tykes on the cusp of a second County Championship win of the season against Hampshire.

India batsman Pujara, who had previously made just one half-century for the county champions since arriving on a short-term contract in April, hit 17 fours and a six on his way to an unbeaten 133.

His innings allowed Andrew Gale to declare his side’s second innings on 305-4, leaving Hampshire an imposing target of 449 to win.

But their hopes of securing an unlikely victory were hit as Brooks left them reeling on 37-4, still 412 short of their victory target.

Hampshire began the day on 223-8, but were able to add just four to their overnight score as Brooks and Adil Rashid took a wicket apiece to secure a first innings lead of 143.

Openers Adam Lyth and Alex Lees both fell before lunch, and when skipper Gale hooked Fidel Edwards straight to James Tomlinson shortly after the break the hosts were on 80-3.

But Pujara and Jonny Bairstow played aggressively to add 130 for the fourth wicket before the wicketkeeper fell for 59 trying to sweep Liam Dawson.

Jack Leaning (43no) helped Pujara through to his century before going on the attack himself, and after they shared in an unbroken stand of 95, Brooks got to work on bringing the winning line closer into sight.

He has Sean Terry caught at fourth slip by Tim Bresnan before Michael Carberry edged the next delivery through to Bairstow.

James Vince survived the hat-trick ball before handning Brooks his third wicket while Liam Dawson was adjudged LBW to Rashid to leave Will Smith and James Tomlinson the task of reaching the close.

Meanwhile off the field, new ECB Director, England Cricket Andrew Strauss confirmed Yorkshire head coach Jason Gillespie is a candidate to replace Peter Moores as head coach of England.

Speaking at Lord’s, the former England captain said Gillespie would be spoken to in the coming days ahead of hopefully making an appointment ahead of the summer’s Ashes.

And though he would be sad to see Gillespie – who turned down the job of coaching South Australia last week – leave Headingley, Gale believes he would be a perfect choice for the national team.

“It’s no surprise,” he said. “We’ve had no formal approach as a club from the ECB but if that does come along Martyn (Moxon) will deal with that. Jason will have to sit down with his family to decide what happens but as far as we are concerned he is head coach of Yorkshire.

“He’s had a massive impact on the club in the last three years. You only have to see how far we’ve come as a club.

“It is a big job to turn down but as far as we’re concerned we’ve got a game of cricket to win here.”

Strauss also confirmed Yorkshire batsman Joe Root as the new Test vice-captain for the upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia.