Yorkshire wicketkeeper Gerard Brophy believes Adil Rashid is on top of his game after claiming four wickets against Warwickshire at Headingley yesterday.

Replying to the White Rose county’s 425, the Bears reached 221-7 from 65 overs at close on day two of this LV= County Championship match, one the hosts are in charge of.

Bradfordian Rashid’s intervention was crucial on a laborious day of cricket, which only sprung into life in the latter stages of the afternoon session.

He finished the day with 4-61 from 21 overs, including two of them in the space of four balls after tea.

“Ever since I came back into the side about six weeks ago, he’s been top drawer,” said Brophy of 22-year-old Rashid.

“He’s bowling as well as I’ve seen him bowl. He’s a pretty special guy.”

There was also some more ominous news for the visitors, who are still 204 runs behind and 55 away from avoiding the follow-on.

“The wicket’s starting to turn, so Adil and Rafa (Azeem Rafiq) will really come into the game,” said Brophy.

The signs that batting was not too easy were there during the first session and a bit of day two because Yorkshire lost their last six wickets for 100 runs.

But Ian Westwood and Darren Maddy made it look easy for much of the afternoon, sharing a century partnership for the first wicket.

Rashid, who had trapped Westwood lbw for 66 before tea, then got Jim Troughton and Ant Botha in the space of four balls after tea.

They were two of three wickets to fall in ten balls, with Steve Patterson also trapping Ateeq Javeed lbw to leave the score at 153-5.

Oliver Hannon-Dalby and Tino Best also claimed a wicket apiece, before Rashid trapped Steffan Piolet lbw just before close.

Brophy had earlier finished with 103 off 175 balls, including 15 fours.