Rashid’s century underlines that he is now in ‘very good place’ at Yorkshire

Rashid hit 120 not out to help put Yorkshire into a commanding position against Somerset at Headingley, the home side closing day one on 332-5.

It continued Rashid’s impressive start to the season after the publication of a national newspaper article on the eve of the campaign in which he criticised the club and captain Andrew Gale.

Rashid, who actually made the remarks included in the article back in January, accused Yorkshire of treating him badly and blamed Gale and the coaching staff for failing to back him as his form declined.

But the 25-year-old last night stressed it was all water under the bridge following clear-the-air talks with Gale and Yorkshire’s first-team coach Jason Gillespie.

“I sat down with the coach and the captain and we came to an agreement,” said Rashid.

“It’s all about communicating and I think that everybody’s happy now.

“It was a long time ago and all the coaching staff, the captain, we’re getting along nicely.

“Hopefully I can go on to have a good season.”

Rashid said all parties had come to an agreement about his role in the side.

“I’ve had a bit of freedom to go out and play the way I want to play and bowl the way I want to bowl,” he said.

“It’s a bit of freedom of however you want to play because you know your game and you’ve been playing long enough to know what to do.

“At the moment I’m in a very good place and I’m enjoying my cricket.

“I just want to contribute to the team’s success.”

Rashid’s century yesterday was his first since his career-best 157 not out against Lancashire at Headingley in 2009.

It was his fifth first-class hundred and followed previous three-figure scores of 108 against Worcestershire at Kidderminster in 2007, 111 against Sussex at Hove in 2008 and 117 not out against Hampshire at Basingstoke in 2009.

“It’s nice to get a hundred and it’s been a long time coming,” admitted Rashid. “Hopefully I can go on from here and make it a big one.”

Gary Ballance made 107 as he and Rashid shared a stand of 207.