Tykes have the correct Ballance

Adil Rashid and Gary Ballance scored centuries to lead a superb Yorkshire fightback from 75-4 during the opening day of their LV= County Championship meeting with Somerset at Headingley.

The pair shared a record breaking fifth-wicket stand of 207 inside 62 overs in front of watching England selectors Geoff Miller and James Whitaker as the hosts closed the day on 332-5 from 96 overs.

They came together just before lunch, batting into the day's final hour to banish memories of a rocky start, which had seen Adam Lyth fall for a duck four balls into the match.

Ballance scored 107 off 197 balls, his first century of the season, while Rashid's unbeaten 120 off 209 balls, including 20 fours, was his first ton since August 2009 and fifth in first-class cricket.

They broke a couple of records along the way. This was Yorkshire's highest fifth-wicket partnership in first-class cricket at Headingley, and it was also their highest for that wicket against Somerset at any venue.

Now all Rashid needs to do is take the confidence from this innings into his bowling later today: "I think that happens with all all-rounders," he said. "If someone goes out and gets a hundred, they're naturally confident when you go out to bowl. That happens with a lot.

"It's nice to get a hundred at any time and anywhere. It's been a long time coming, but hopefully now I can make it a big one and make it count."

On the last two occasions he scored hundreds - against Hampshire at Basingstoke and Lancashire here four seasons ago - he also took five wickets in the match.

After Andrew Gale elected to bat first, Yorkshire were quickly under the cosh in seemingly good batting conditions. Peter Trego struck twice with the new ball, getting openers Lyth and Joe Sayers caught behind by England one-day wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.

Gale also edged Alfonso Thomas behind before former Tyke Steve Kirby had Phil Jaques (49) caught at second slip.

Two of Buttler's catches were excellent diving efforts away to his left.

Ballance and Rashid then made batting look ridiculously easy for close to two sessions before the former was trapped lbw by Kirby with the second new ball.

They played some eye-catching shots on both sides of the wicket, particularly off the back foot through the off-side.

"We didn't start off particularly well, but me and Gary put a good partnership on. There was a bit of pressure on, but we've been in these situations before. We executed our skills, and Gary has played magnificently well," added Rashid.

Rashid and wicketkeeper Andrew Hodd (14 not out) will resume a 50-run stand for the sixth wicket this morning.

Yorkshire started the day by naming all-rounder Rich Pyrah in their team as a replacement for Ryan Sidebottom, who arrived at the ground complaining of sickness. Sidebottom was due to return to the side having been rested from last week's win over Derbyshire.

SCORECARD

Yorkshire v Somerset
At Headingley Carnegie. Yorkshire Won Toss

Yorkshire First Innings Close
A Lyth c Buttler b Trego ........................ 0
J J Sayers c Buttler b Trego .................. 1
P A Jaques c Trescothick b Kirby .........49
A W Gale c Buttler b Thomas ................17
G S Ballance lbw b Kirby ....................107
A U Rashid not out ............................120
A J Hodd not out ................................14
Extras (b6 lb7 nb11) ................24
Total 5 wkts (96 overs)...........332
Fall: 1-0 2-17 3-71 4-75 5-282
To Bat: R M Pyrah, T T Bresnan, J A Brooks,
S A Patterson.
Bowling: Trego 24-6-67-2. Kirby 21-3-85-2.
Thomas 20-3-61-1. Overton 11-0-61-0.
Leach 15-3-37-0. Suppiah 5-1-8-0.