Steve Patterson insists only a good second morning with the ball will put Yorkshire ahead against Kent at Emerald Headingley.

The opening day of this LV= Insurance County Championship clash was hard fought, with Kent closing on 224-7, including England batsman Zak Crawley’s 90.

Patterson was the pick of the White Rose attack with 2-33 from 17 overs, while Ben Coad claimed three-for.

Both sides could argue a case for supremacy, making it an even affair.

“We still have a brand new ball in the morning,” said the captain. “If we start well, we could bowl them out for 240 or 250, and we’d be pleased with that.

“We then have to apply ourselves with the bat. There’s no demons in that pitch. There’s a little bit of seam movement with the new ball, but after that it’s even paced.”

Patterson, who won the toss, continued: “Having spoken to the ground staff, the impression was that the pitch was going to be very similar to last week against Northants.

“With the amount of bounce, carry and excessive seam movement last week, we felt bowling would be the right choice. As it turned out, the pitch was very different.

“It was a lot slower and lower and hard work.

“We started well, kept it dry for a long period of time – going at two an over. At 60 for three, we felt if we could get them 90 for five we’d be on top. But, in fairness, Crawley and Jack Leaning played nicely.

“I said last week I thought 260 on that pitch would be par. And this is better. I’d say more 280 is par score on there.”

Coad took a wicket in his first over back after missing three games with a back stress fracture.

The new ball seamer then struck twice late on as Kent slipped from 206-4 to 217-7.

“Ben’s probably looked a bit rusty to me from what we know he’s capable of,” added Patterson. “He has very high standards of himself.

“But he’s a quality performer, and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he ended up with five-for even though he hasn’t been at his best.”

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