Yorkshire v Somerset Gale true to his word with fine century at Headingley

"It's vital I get some runs and lead by example," he declared. "I'm determined to get some good scores during the first few weeks of the season because that's the best way to get the respect of the players."

After managing only 23 and 0 during the four-wicket victory against Warwickshire at Edgbaston, Gale was as good as his word yesterday to help give Yorkshire the upper hand against Somerset.

Displaying trademark tenacity and application, qualities he has quickly instilled in his inexperienced side, the 26-year-old made a stylish 101 that can only have enhanced his status with team-mates and supporters.

In tandem with the excellent Tim Bresnan, whose polished 61 furthered his reputation as a world-class all-rounder, Gale changed the balance of a match that had hitherto been utterly neck-and-neck.

When Gale and Bresnan began their sixth-wicket stand on a sun-soaked afternoon, Yorkshire were 142-5 in reply to Somerset's first innings 272 and in danger of undoing their earlier hard work.

But Gale inspired a charge that helped them to 320-7 to raise hopes of a second successive win by a side most bookmakers have tipped to finish bottom of Division One.

Although it is too early to be passing definitive comment on this young Yorkshire team, the signs were once again encouraging as they followed a determined bowling performance with a dogged batting display.

With Somerset seamers Charl Willoughby, Damien Wright and Alfonso Thomas never allowing the batsmen to settle, and with a pitch of uneven bounce necessitating watchfulness, runs were never easy to come by despite the unseasonably pleasant weather.

Conditions called for a solid technique and steely concentration, and neither Gale nor Bresnan were found wanting during a partnership of 149 in 45 overs, which delighted another good crowd of around 2,500.

Both batsmen prospered through classical driving – most notably through the covers – and by making sure they got right to the pitch of the ball in a game in which no fewer than 10 of the 17 dismissals have been lbw.

Umpires Neil Mallender and Nigel Llong have appeared trigger happy at times, as though they have made alternative arrangements for Sunday afternoon.

After losing Adam Lyth on the first evening, Yorkshire resumed on 16-1 and did not suffer a further setback until 50 minutes into the morning session.

Anthony McGrath had grafted diligently to reach 21 but was then defeated by a ball from Willoughby that kept low and trapped him in front.

McGrath's dismissal brought together Joe Sayers and Jacques Rudolph, who showed an understanding befitting last year's opening pair.

The left-handers pressurised Somerset with keen running between the wickets and steered Yorkshire into lunch on 106-2, Sayers reaching his second half-century of the campaign from the final delivery of the morning session.

As at Edgbaston, Sayers was unable to kick on as he fell lbw to Wright, who summoned a probing spell from the Kirkstall Lane end.

Sayers looked to have got a good stride in, however, and he played well for 51 from 119 balls with seven fours.

Rudolph – initially circumspect as he took 21 deliveries to get off the mark – looked in menacing mood until he was undone by a ball from Alfonso Thomas that he edged to wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter.

Such is Rudolph's mastery that a score of 33 feels like a misprint on the scorecard, and the South African has started the season in fine fettle.

When Jonathan Bairstow fell lbw to Peter Trego for 11, half the Yorkshire side were back in the hutch and Somerset had rallied in a manner reminiscent of Yorkshire on the opening day.

But the visitors' hopes of a quick kill were emphatically thwarted by Gale and Bresnan, who married solid defence with sensible aggression to put their side back on track.

Gale went to his half-century from 100 balls with a cover-drive off David Stiff to the foot of the West Stand, while Bresnan reached his fifty from 116 deliveries with a no less exquisite cover-driven boundary off Thomas.

Somerset gradually started to run out of ideas and Gale instinctively seized the moment. He needed only 55 balls for his second fifty and joyfully celebrated his seventh first-class century.

Perhaps overcome by the emotion of his first hundred as captain, Gale slapped a poor ball from Zander de Bruyn to cover and walked off annoyed with himself, his disappointment eased by the splendid ovation he received on his return to the dressing room.

After Bresnan perished lbw to Wright, Adil Rashid and Ajmal Shahzad saw Yorkshire to stumps and a useful lead of 48.