YORKSHIRE are 127-1 in pursuit of Somerset’s mammoth 562-7 after day two of their Specsavers Country Championship match in Taunton.

Adam Lyth (80 not out) shared an opening stand of 103 with Alex Lees, before Lees was caught at third slip from a sharp Jamie Overton delivery for 33.

As on day one, just four wickets fell as bowlers continued to toil on a pitch described by centurion James Hildreth as “very flat.”

Somerset require early wickets this morning and barring that, it is difficult to see either side grabbing maximum points.

Adil Rashid, who finished with 4-160 for the visitors, said it was hard graft in the field.

“It’s always a tough place to come play here in Taunton,” he said. “The wicket’s good, it’s a smallish ground and a quick-scoring ground.”

The leg-spinner said the most difficult thing for Yorkshire was that the home side always had a settled batsman at the crease.

“That was the thing with their innings – they always had someone in, and free-scoring. So at that point you’ve just got to go for plan B, plan C, and hope that pays off.”

Earlier in the day, Somerset feasted on Yorkshire’s bowling as the aforementioned Hildreth (166) and Peter Trego (94) entertained the home crowd from the outset.

Aside from a loud caught behind shout from Steve Patterson with Hildreth on 77, then on 120 a tough caught and bowled drop by Stamford Bridge’s Will Rhodes, Yorkshire failed to create any chances in a wicketless morning session.

Somerset punished Yorkshire skipper Andrew Gale’s decision to bowl first – an option coach Jason Gillespie back up as a “no-brainer” – and loosened the shoulders early.

Trego hit three big sixes, two off Rashid and one off Lyth, the last of which was a huge straight drive past Taunton’s towering press box.

After Overton’s late cameo, which included a huge strike off Steve Patterson into the River Tone, Somerset skipper Chris Rogers called his batsmen in.

Yorkshire started shakily when given their chance to bat.

On just two, Lyth struck an uppish drive back to paceman Tim Groenewald, whose one-handed effort was put down on his follow-through.

And on seven, Lees edged a regulation catch to first slip that was grassed by Jim Allenby.

The home side were made to pay for these mistakes, as the Yorkshire pair passed the hundred mark.

Yet soon after Somerset had their man, as Trego took a smart catch at third slip to dismiss Lees.

It was 21-year-old Rhodes who came to the crease at number three, and after some early plays-and-misses, the all-rounder dug in to see out the day.

Although not without having to work for it, as Overton’s final ball of the day – a searing bouncer – glanced his helmet for four byes.

Yorkshire are still a long way from parity, and will look to prevent any early wickets on day three.

Rashid, who is averaging 49.75 this season, and whose last innings at Taunton was a 99 almost exactly a year ago, hoped his top order would occupy time at the crease.

“I enjoy batting here, so hopefully I can do something similar.

“Maybe not tomorrow, because hopefully our lads can bat the whole day. But if given the chance I’ll try my best to get some runs.”