There are few better sights in cricket than watching Marcus Trescothick in full flow.
This if, of course, unless you were of Yorkshire persuasion on day two of the county's LV County Championship clash with Somerset.
He provided a batting masterclass at Taunton - making his way to 189 against the Tykes, to help his side to a first-innings lead by the close of a fascinating day's play.
The former England opener was in ominous form from the first ball on day two, which he delightfully stuck to the cover boundary for four, as Yorkshire suffered a frustrating day in the field.
They had to wait until just before tea to pick up their first wicket - as Trescothick and fellow opener Arul Suppiah set about attacking the Tykes' first-innings total of 358 with gusto.
Trescothick was the more dominant first-off, making his way to 50 off just 75 balls, before Suppiah overcame a nervy beginning to join his captain in plundering the Yorkshire seam-bowlers to all parts.
The Tykes did not help themselves by dropping him twice in the slips, on nine and 68. By the time Suppiah was finally ousted for 95 by Adil Rashid, he had played his part in a thrilling opening partnership of 257.
Trescothick, though, was far from done.
Two more wickets fell around him, with Rashid ousting Alex Barrow for ten and Ajmal Shahzad getting rid of Nick Compton for four, before James Hildreth provided the 35 year-old's foil at tea.
By this stage the hosts had moved seamlessly on to 272 for two, until a second late fight-back with the ball in as many days changed the complexion of a topsy-turvy match once more.
Yorkshire were the victims on day one, as they collapsed from 305 for four to 358 all-out, with Somerset wobbling themselves late on day two to make it compelling viewing at the County Ground.
Trescothick himself was the catalyst for the drama - when he was finally ousted for 189 to give Ryan Sidebottom a 500th wicket in first-class cricket. After his brutal knock, which included 21 boundaries, he rightly left the field to a standing ovation - before presumably watching on in frustration as the Tykes attack finally began to shine.
Two more wickets fell by the close - with Sidebottom again striking to remove the dangerous Peter Trego for nought, and Steve Patterson then claiming a deserved wicket by ousting the dangerous Jos Buttler for only seven.
It leaves James Hildreth, who is on 49, and Lewis Gregory, who is on 13, at the crease for the resumption of play on day three, with Somerset leading by just 31 runs on 389 for six.
Given their dominant position ahead of the final session, Yorkshire will be happy with their comeback.
SCORECARD
Somerset v Yorkshire
At Taunton.
Overnight: Yorkshire 358 (J M Bairstow 136,
G S Ballance 61). Somerset 7-0.
Somerset First Innings Close
M E Trescothick c Lyth b Sidebottom 189
A V Suppiah c Patterson b A U Rashid 95
N R Compton c Bairstow b Shahzad 4
A W Barrow c Bairstow b A U Rashid 10
J C Hildreth not out 49
P D Trego lbw b Sidebottom 0
J C Buttler c Gale b Patterson 7
L Gregory not out 13
Extras (b5 lb3 w2 nb12 pens 0) 22
Total 6 wkts (100 overs) 389
Fall: 1-257 2-272 3-301 4-343 5-343 6-366
To Bat: G Hussain, S P Kirby, C M Willoughby.
Bonus Pts: Somerset 3 Yorkshire 4
Bowling: Shahzad 18-1-85-1. Sidebottom
22-4-51-2. Patterson 22-4-56-1. Hannon-
Dalby 18-2-77-0. A U Rashid 17-2-95-2.
Root 3-0-17-0.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here