Harry Brook admitted his delight at starting the season with a century as Yorkshire put themselves in a commanding position after two days against Gloucestershire at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.
Brook has had a winter filled with T20 commitments across the globe, including making his England senior debut in Barbados in late January.
A Pakistan Super League winner and centurion with Lahore Qalandars last month, the 23-year-old has slipped seamlessly back into four-day cricket.
His fifth first-class century – 101 – helped Yorkshire to 334-8 and a first-innings lead of 107 at the halfway stage of this LV= Insurance County Championship opener.
“I think we bowled very well yesterday,” said the Burley-in-Wharfedale man.
“After they had a decent partnership, to bowl them out for 227 was a really good effort when they were about 150-3.
“Then, to be able to back it up today was really good.”
Brook wasn’t without fortune on the way to three figures. He was nearly run out on 18 when in partnership with Harry Duke before being dropped on 99.
When reflecting on both moments, he said with a smile: “I was timing it well until I got to 99 and then didn’t time one for five overs!
“I know that Dukey’s a bit frantic between the wickets, so you have to be on your toes. He’s a young lad, so it’s fine.
“Dukey (34) batted lovely. He always looks good and did a good job today.”
On his own innings, which will bring inevitable speculation about a summer Test debut, he continued: “It’s really nice to get the ball rolling first game.
“I’m not to trying to think about that at all (England). I’m just trying to score as many runs as I can for Yorkshire and see how far we can get.”
And on the state of the game, he added: “It’s a good pitch, but there’s still quite a bit in it for the bowlers. There’s a little bit of bounce and seam with the new ball. If we get the ball in the right areas, we’re definitely in the game.”
