Yorkshire blessed by England homecoming

Somerset 110 (Brooks 5-35) and 44 for 2 trail Yorkshire 391 (Bairstow 91, Ballance 91, Lyth 62, Overton 4-64) by 237 runs
Scorecard

Yorkshire may have cursed the England selectors for making free with their riches at the start of this season but they are blessing them now. After the devastation wreaked by Jack Brooks and company with the ball, they are indebted to the availability of Adam Lyth, Gary Ballance and Jonny Bairstow for providing the runs that will surely be the foundation of a ninth victory and put them within touching distance of the title.

After Lyth's half-century on Tuesday on his return from Ashes duty, Ballance and Bairstow emphasised their international quality with innings that, by coincidence, fell short of being turned into hundreds by the same nine-run margin, but ensured nonetheless that Yorkshire's bowlers would have a substantial lead to work with as they set about testing Somerset's frailties for a second time.

Ballance, dropped after the second Ashes Test, appears to be regaining his form and his confidence. He followed his 165 against Sussex at Hove last week by making 91, contributing to a partnership of 90 with nightwatchman Steve Patterson that was important in denying Somerset's bowlers any serious inroads on the second morning. Whether an England recall is anywhere close is debatable, although a strong finish to the year can only build his claims.

Bairstow's presence in this match is the biggest bonus following his surprise omission from England's one-day squad. After his match-winning unbeaten 83 against New Zealand in the Chester-le-Street one-dayer and 74 in the Trent Bridge Ashes Test, he has done little wrong and would have a right to feel slightly perplexed.

"I was disappointed, naturally," he said. "I want to play for England as much as I can. But you cannot be surprised. All I can do is score runs for Yorkshire. We have a one-day semi-final coming up and hopefully I can make a contribution in that and help get us to a Lord's final."

His contribution in the Championship has been extraordinary. Limited by his England involvement, he has been available for barely half Yorkshire's fixtures, yet in 13 innings has five hundreds and five more half-centuries. His aggregate in those games is 1,071 at an average of 107.10.

Only Somerset's James Hildreth, as it happens, has more runs in Division One. However, his 1,094 have come from eight more innings.

We have come to expect big things from Bairstow with every visit to the crease, fully signed up as he is to England's new brand of aggressive cricket, with the emphasis on playing at a high tempo. This innings had its moments -- a six off spinner Jack Leach to pass 50, for example, followed immediately by back-to-back fours -- but it was equally impressive for showing off a different side to Bairstow.

It began just after Ballance had been dismissed with the fourth delivery with the new ball, at the start of what turned out to be a high quality 10-over spell from Craig Overton, in which the tall pace bowler accounted for nightwatchman Steve Patterson and Aaron Finch in addition to Ballance, with Lewis Gregory offering impressive support from the other end. It looked like the kind of Headingley wicket on which a batsman never feels entirely at ease and this was a demanding passage of play.

"It was hard work," Bairstow said. "They had just taken the new ball and you know that anytime against the new ball at Headingley it is going to be difficult. I think we went 40-odd balls and only scored eight runs.

"Craig Overton is a good bowler, a real challenge on a Headingley wicket. He hits good areas and always asked questions, but then you don't get on Performance Programmes and get into England squads if you are not a quality bowler.

"We set out to assess things and take our time and I'm pleased that I am able now to tough it out and get through those difficult periods and that's come with the way my game has developed."

Ballance edged Overton to second slip, Patterson, who had batted through the morning for a diligent 44, fell just after lunch, caught behind, and the Australian Finch, dropped the ball before, was leg before playing across one.

Bairstow was running out of partners when Gregory ultimately uprooted his middle stump, denied a hundred that would have been his had he been able to be just a little closer when James Middlebrook gave way to Jack Brooks and then Ryan Sidebottom.

Brooks and Sidebottom quickly made amends as Somerset, needing to reach 281 to make Yorkshire bat again, lost both openers quickly, Tom Abell by way of a sharp, one-handed slip catch by Finch off Brooks before Marcus Trescothick walked into a straight ball from Sidebottom and was leg before.

Somerset should have lost a third wicket just before the close when Tim Bresnan, at fourth slip, put down a chance offered by Hildreth after Brooks switched to the football stand end. As it is, they will have done unexpectedly well if Bairstow is required to pick up his bat again.

Assuming a Yorkshire win here, the stage will be set for a crowning ceremony at Lord's next week when they meet second-placed Middlesex. The likelihood is that a draw at headquarters will be enough.