JACK Brooks says Yorkshire could have bowled better in helpful conditions after Somerset claimed the advantage during the first day at Emerald Headingley.

Brooks took four wickets as Somerset closed on 374-8 at the start of this Specsavers County Championship match.

After Yorkshire elected to bowl, Somerset slipped to 5-2 before a quartet of fifties from Pakistan international Azhar Ali, James Hildreth, Steve Davies and Lewis Gregory led the recovery.

“We wanted to have a bowl first because there was plenty in it,” said Brooks.

“We beat the bat quite a bit, but we were probably a bit short and wide for the second half of the first session.

“Second session, we were on it and didn’t get the luck we maybe deserved.

“At the end, Gregory’s come out and been really positive and put his foot down.

“It’s a bit frustrating not to bowl them out for a cheaper score really.

“We have to come back in the morning, knock them over early and get batting. It’s going to be a hard slog now, especially given we’re down to three bowlers.

Former Pakistan captain Azhar top-scored with a patient 89, while Hildreth’s 81 saw him pass 16,000 career runs.

They shared 137 for the third wicket either side of lunch.

But it was Davies and, in particular, Gregory who changed the course of the day after tea as they advanced from 229-5 after 69 overs.

They shared 114 inside 18 overs and attacked with gusto against the hard working hosts.

Davies hit 80 and all-rounder Gregory played the innings of the day, finishing with 65 off 46 balls.

Unfortunately for Yorkshire, there is also more injury news after Matthew Fisher left the field with a recurrence of the toe injury he suffered on England Lions duty recently.

Brooks said: "A couple of weeks ago, he cut his toe quite badly in a Lions game and had stitches in it. It appears to have gone again, and he’ll probably need more stitches.

“I don’t know how it’s happened. It’s obviously a bowling thing. Whether he needs to wear new boots or not, I’m not sure.

“The pitch is probably a bit slower than we’d have liked.

“It’s doing plenty, but from slightly short. A couple of catches dropped short of the slips because of the lack of pace. There’s enough there if you bowl in the right areas.

“We probably didn’t do it consistently enough if we’re being completely honest.

“It’s a high-scoring wicket if you don’t bowl well, and they’ve proved that.”

Earlier this week, Brooks announced he is leaving Yorkshire at the end of the season after five years with the club. His destination, Somerset!

“I haven’t had a problem with it (bowling against Somerset) because I’m still a Yorkshire player. If anything, it’s galvanised me a little bit more,” he added.

“I’m professional, and I have a lot of pride. I want to do my best for Yorkshire while I’m still here.”