MATTHEW Wood and Scott Richardson yesterday brought to an end Yorkshire's first wicket run famine by putting on 152 together against Kent at Headingley.

It was Yorkshire's highest opening partnership since Michael Vaughan and David Byas added 299 off Essex's attack at Chelmsford just over two years ago, but Greg Blewett also had a hand in that stand before retiring hurt.

The excellent start by the two uncapped openers put the Championship leaders well on top and they closed the day on 287 for six with a lead of 75 over their nearest rivals.

Yorkshire would have been better placed but for a fine 12 over spell from Kent captain Matthew Fleming during which he captured four for 18 in the space of 45 balls.

Both Wood and Richardson had to work hard to get settled and progress first thing was so laboured that it took them until the 31st over to register the first boundary of the innings, Wood pulling James Golding to raise the 50.

They also survived a chance apiece to wicketkeeper Paul Nixon off Fleming but once into their stride they played some exciting shots, even though it was the 38th over before Richardson hit his first four.

The century stand arrived early in the afternoon against moderate bowling and it soon overtook the previous three figure opening alliance of 112 between Byas and Victor Craven at Derby in May last year.

Wood oozed the confidence he has so badly lacked over the past couple of years and twice he pulled Martin Saggers viciously for sixes into the new West Stand as he outscored Richardson but when he had reached 90 he propped forward at the left-arm spin of Min Patel and was caught at slip. He had faced 188 balls and struck eight fours as well as his two sixes.

The stand was the fourth highest for Yorkshire's first wicket against Kent and the best since Len Hutton and Harry Halliday compiled 157 on the same ground in 1952.

Richardson, having celebrated his maiden half century, looked sound enough to go on to three figures until he was out for 69 in the most unfortunate circumstances imaginable.

Craig White drove back fiercely to Patel's left and although the bowler could not make the catch stick he unwittingly dragged the ball a couple of feet into the stumps with Richardson out of his crease backing up.

Richardson had doggedly defied Kent for 251 minutes during which time he received 187 balls and struck five boundaries.

Darren Lehmann wasted no time in planting a ball from Patel on to the roof of the club offices and although the Australian played with all his usual freedom he was generally forced to treat Patel with respect.

Lehmann and White put on 53 before White nudged Fleming to the wicketkeeper and it became 236 for four when David Byas could do nothing about a shooter from Fleming which skidded into his ankle and had him lbw.

But Yorkshire were still in control and Lehmann moved to his half-century off 92 balls, the 17th time in his last 21 games that he has made 50 or more.

He lost both Gary Fellows and James Middlebrook to the persevering Fleming but even a nasty blow on the hand could not disturb his own rhythm and at the close he was 66 with his first Championship century of the season beckoning.

Yorkshire batsman Anthony McGrath will have an operation on his injured groin tomorrow and is expected to be out of action for up to two months.

Updated: 12:39 Friday, June 08, 2001