Jack Brooks believes his performance with bat and ball and Yorkshire’s winning position in their ongoing LV= County Championship match against his former county Northamptonshire has helped to justify his decision to leave Wantage Road in late 2012.

Brooks’s 37 not out and 5-36 were his best returns in both disciplines for the White Rose in Championship cricket, and has helped leave Northants in disarray ahead of tomorrow's third day.

In reply to Yorkshire’s 459-9 declared, the visitors will start their second innings tomorrow morning having been bowled out for just 94 in less than a session and asked to follow-on.

When Brooks opted to leave Northampton, he chose Yorkshire over a number of other counties.

He has impressed in both Championship and Twenty20 cricket, although today proved to be his best day as his Northants-supporting parents watched on.

“I’ve kind of justified my move so far with how this game’s gone,” said Brooks, who did the damage between lunch and tea with a seven-over second spell of 4-19 from the Football Stand End.

“Last year they had a fantastic season, and I was really pleased for them. But whatever they do over the next few years, I won’t ever regret moving up here - and the last couple of days justify that.

“The way my cricket’s going forward with this team, it’s a great club to be part of.”

Gary Ballance continued his stunning recent form for Yorkshire before lunch by completing a 256-ball 174, also his best innings in White Rose colours.

He shared 72 for the eighth wicket with Ryan Sidebottom before Brooks and Steve Patterson added an entertaining 61 for the tenth. Yorkshire’s innings included a world-record equalling eight lbw dismissals.

Sidebottom expertly supported Brooks with 4-16 from nine overs. He will open the bowling this morning on a hat-trick having claimed the last two wickets of the innings with successive deliveries.

Brooks bowled former Pudsey Congs and Bowling Old Lane all-rounder James Middlebrook before getting Rob Newton caught behind, Andrew Hall caught at third slip, David Willey caught in the gully and Steven Crook caught at point.

Rain and bad light prevented any play after tea.