Hoggard's efforts raise Tykes' flag

Somerset followers may remember 2000 as the summer they might have won their first Championship: if Andrew Caddick and Marcus Trescothick had not been called by England, if Matt Bulbeck had not been injured... The team are resilient enough to maintain their First Division status but, as this match is showing, lack the edge to damage leading sides.

Somerset followers may remember 2000 as the summer they might have won their first Championship: if Andrew Caddick and Marcus Trescothick had not been called by England, if Matt Bulbeck had not been injured... The team are resilient enough to maintain their First Division status but, as this match is showing, lack the edge to damage leading sides.

Somerset also have a history of upsetting Yorkshire, sometime spectacularly, and after six defeats in the last eight the Tykes arrived exposed, and with the usual baggage - angry members' letters in the Yorkshire Post.

They even found their flagpole moved; after standing inviolate by the main gate since 1868 the Scarborough club have had to attach it to the pavilion to prevent thieves from stealing the ropes. Having just been routed by Lancashire and Surrey spinners, Yorkshire could also be losing the plot.

North Sea air, off bright blue and sparkling water, has done wonders before and once David Byas had won the toss and sent in Somerset on a greenish surface things settled down, "Disgusted of Gomersal" withholding his e-mail.

Jamie Cox carved a wide half-volley, Mark Lathwell, looking good for 30 balls, unluckily played on, 14 for 2.

The third-wicket pair had trebled the score when Ryan Sidebottom, starting his fourth over, clutched his groin and collapsed, to be carried off on a stretcher. He has a torn hip muscle, a nasty setback for the club's leading wicket-taker, a contender for Young Cricketer of the Year and due, it was rumoured, to be given his cap.

That white rose cap appeared, two overs later, for Matthew Hoggard, confirming his membership of that exclusive club, those winning their country's cap before their county's. He, Chris Silverwood, bowling fast, and Paul Hutchison whittled away a Somerset order in which no man gave away his wicket. It seemed as if Rob Turner was about to lead another famous rally when Byas turned to Darren Lehmann's left-arm spin.

The Australian took two wickets in six balls, both bowled, to suggest that there might have been room for a spinner. Yorkshire were under way at 4.30, Michael Vaughan looking fluid and composed enough for another century until he slashed to slip. Simon Widdup, the 22-year-old right-hander from Doncaster, took a long-awaited chance to aim at a maiden 50 and was six short when he hooked to long leg.