County Championship round-up: Rudolph thrives as Yorkshire stride on

It could be said that life went on without noticeable change as Yorkshire, ensconced in Somerset as their former distinguished servant confirmed his retirement from cricket, embarked on their first match of the post-Michael Vaughan era.

Anthony McGrath, filling Vaughan's number three slot in the Yorkshire batting order, make 40 and was out; Adam Lyth, the young batsmen most likely to benefit most from the new vacancy, reached 36 before he too found himself back in the pavilion. They were just the kind of scores Vaughan had been making recently.

Fortunately for Yorkshire, who need to improve fairly quickly if they are to pull away from the lower reaches of the First Division table, help was at hand in the shape of Jacques Rudolph, whose 191 was the mainstay of a commanding total against a Somerset side to which Andrew Caddick, the 40-year-old former England pace bowler, returned after a back operation.

Whereas Caddick's days in international cricket are behind him, Liam Plunkett, the Durham bowler, hopes there are some more to come.

Back in action after a groin injury in the absence of Graham Onions and Steve Harmison, Plunkett recovered from a wayward start to enjoy a four-wicket burst after tea at the Riverside, finishing with 6 for 63 as Worcestershire were bowled out for 193.

However, Kabir Ali, who won his only Test cap in 2003, countered with two wickets as Durham lost their first three wickets for one run in reply.

Owais Shah, not selected in England's pre-Ashes training squad, scored 159 for Middlesex at Lord's.