Kevin Pietersen, one of the brightest young stars in county cricket, gave Yorkshire's second-string attack a pasting at Headingley yesterday when he totted up 167 out of a Nottinghamshire total of 393 on the first day of the Frizzell Championship match.

Pietersen, 23, born in South Africa but eligible to play for England from September, stayed calmly in control throughout his 255-ball innings and it was not until late on that he started to take risks by hitting over the top, adding three sixes to his 20 fours.

Once again, Yorkshire were short of quality bowlers, their situation not being helped when Chris Silverwood failed a test on his injured ankle which had not responded to treatment as quickly as expected.

With Steve Kirby still not fully fit and Matthew Hoggard on Test duty, it meant that Yorkshire were without any capped front-line pacemen, 19-year-old Nick Thornicroft making his first Championship appearance in two seasons.

Yorkshire also had another problem on their minds before the start when they learned there was a possibility that Ian Harvey could be pulled out of the match at some stage to join up with Australia in Zimbabwe. Vic Craven was named as the player who would take his place if necessary but Yorkshire director of cricket, Geoff Cope, said later that he had spoken to Cricket Australia, who had stated that Harvey would not be asked to travel over the next few days.

In view of Yorkshire's weakened bowling and Pietersen's massive contribution, it was strange in the end that Yorkshire should pick up maximum bowling bonus points whereas Notts failed by seven runs to register a fifth batting point.

Yorkshire had Notts on 131 for four at lunch but they suffered in the afternoon as Pietersen and Chris Read embarked on a stand of 145 in 37 overs.

Craig White was easily the quickest of the bowlers and soon after tea he ripped out Mark Ealham's off-stump but Pietersen went serenely on and it was not until Ryan Sidebottom came in at the fall of the seventh wicket that he began to lash out.

Sidebottom did not get off the mark until the partnership was worth 40 but then Pietersen slogged at Bresnan and lost his off-stump. Sidebottom then departed and Stuart MacGill could not take Notts to the 400 mark.

Yorkshire had seven overs to bat and lost Matthew Wood, bowled by Sidebottom.