A REVITALISED Ian Harvey plundered his career-best score of 161 not out to charge Yorkshire on to 401-7 and maximum batting bonus points against Somerset at Headingley yesterday.

The Australian all-rounder also featured in an unbroken stand of 174 with Tim Bresnan (48no), the highest in the county's history for the eighth wicket against Somerset. It beat the previous best of 151 between Wilfred Rhodes and Lord Hawke at Taunton exactly 100 years ago.

Generally Harvey struggled last season but any thoughts that his best years may be behind him were quickly dispelled as he rallied Yorkshire by cruising to his century off 128 deliveries.

He looked in complete control, apart from one slice of luck on 96 when he was dropped by Andy Caddick at deep mid-off off Ian Blackwell.

Harvey soon afterwards completed his first century since 2003 and once past three figures he really broke loose and was particularly severe on Caddick.

When Harvey came in to a standing ovation, he had received 179 balls for his 161 off which he hammered 25 boundaries.

The other major innings for Yorkshire came from opener Matthew Wood, who followed up his totesport League century at the Oval last Sunday with a bristling 95 off 174 balls with ten fours and a pulled six.

After spending three rain-hit days in the field at Chelmsford last week, Yorkshire probably had few complaints at being put in to bat by Somerset, particularly as the pitch played well throughout the day.

Wood and Phil Jaques put on 63 runs quite efficiently until Jaques played round a ball from Richard Johnson and edged into his stumps.

Anthony McGrath soon drove untidily at Aaron Laraman to be caught in the slips and Michael Lumb was lbw to Caddick.

Wood looked set for a faultless century until Nixon McLean went round the wicket and angled a ball across him which he nicked to wicketkeeper Rob Turner who was stood up to the stumps.

McLean struck two further blows to dismiss Craig White and Ismail Dawood in a spell which brought him three wickets in eight balls but Harvey and Bresnan then took control.

Updated: 10:51 Friday, April 22, 2005