Bairstow sparkles again at Taunton

The home side established a first innings lead of 94 when extending their total to 452 all out, James Hildreth making 87, while Adil Rashid took 4-100 runs and Ryan Sidebottom 3-66.

Yorkshire responded well, reaching 249-6 by the close of a day of high winds to lead by 155. Joe Root (67) shared a century stand for the fourth wicket with Bairstow, and captain Andrew Gale made 50.

The first hour of the day was lost to rain with eight overs deducted. Somerset then resumed on 389-6 in their first innings and were able to add 63 either side of lunch.

Lewis Gregory looked unlucky to be bowled off his thigh pad by Sidebottom for 17 with the sixth ball of the day, but Hildreth quickly took three of the first delivery of the second over from Steven Patterson to move to his half-century off 70 balls, with a six and seven fours.

Gemaal Hussain helped add 28 for the eighth wicket before being caught behind off Oliver Hannon-Dalby and at lunch it was 437-8.

Steve Kirby then fell lbw playing across the line to Rashid, who finished the innings by having Hildreth caught behind trying to cut. The England Lions captain had hit 12 fours and a six.

The lead of 94 had been reduced by 37 when Adam Lyth, on 14, edged a lifting delivery from Hussain to be caught by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler. And it was 46-2 when Anthony McGrath fell lbw to Kirby on the back foot.

But Gale and Root wiped out the remainder of the deficit and by tea Yorkshire were 108-2 and 14 in front.

Gale reached his half-century off 56 balls, with a six and five fours, but was immediately pinned leg before wicket by a Peter Trego yorker. The visitors had a lead of only 23 and there was still much work to do.

Bairstow survived a huge appeal for a catch behind first ball, but then went on play with the fluency that brought him 136 in the first innings.

Root reached a battling half-century off 115 balls, while Bairstow’s 50 occupied only 76 deliveries and featured nine fours.

They were parted with the total on 224 when Root was bowled by teenager Gregory a fraction late on his shot. That signalled a bad end to the day for Yorkshire, who lost two wickets in an over from left-arm spinner Arul Suppiah.

Gary Ballance was snapped up at slip by Marcus Trescothick pushing at a ball that turned out of the rough and nightwatchman Patterson lasted only three balls before falling lbw stretching well forward.