On the final day of the weather-ravaged Division Two fixture between Yorkshire and Leicestershire at Headingley, England's Harry Brook scored a stunning 100 not out in his first competitive innings since December.
Brook came to the crease on day four, four balls into play, after overnight rain and a wet outfield delayed the start of the day.
Yorkshire resumed their first-innings reply to Leicestershire's 354 at 1.35pm, with the score at 72 for 2. George Hill was caught off a miscue in the opening over of the day, paving the way for Brook to come in and entertain the 178 spectators who had waited patiently for play.
n 69 balls, he hit 14 fours and two sixes. Yorkshire declared immediately on 264 for 6 just before tea to improve a slow over-rate from the first innings. Spinners Dan Moriarty and Lyth raced through 7.2 overs before the rain arrived at 4 pm. No further play was possible, and Yorkshire took 12 points while Leicestershire took 13.
Brook and Lyth shared a 128-run partnership for the fourth wicket in just 16 overs. Despite scoring a century off 100 balls, Lyth played second fiddle to Brook. Yorkshire's opener started the day on 43.
Brook's final competitive innings was for England against West Indies in a pre-Christmas T20 match in Trinidad and Tobago. The 25-year-old was scheduled to tour India with England's Test team at the beginning of the year and also play for Delhi Capitals in the ongoing Indian Premier League. He withdrew from both assignments due to the passing of his grandmother, Pauline.
Brook chose to play cricket with Yorkshire to be close to his grieving family. He will participate in the first five Championship matches of the summer before focusing on preparing for the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA in June.
Brook played in a friendly against Durham at Headingley on Easter Sunday and scored 74 runs off 42 balls.
He drove his second ball, from seamer Matt Salisbury, for four straight down the ground and was particularly strong in that region, both with precision and power. He also hit two consecutive sixes off seamer Scott Currie, off the front foot, over deep square leg, en route to a 35-ball fifty.
England spinner Rehan was taken to task by the Foxes' batsmen, conceding 43 runs from five overs. Ex-Yorkshire allrounder Ben Mike had success at the other end. He took the first two wickets of the second day and returned to trap both Jonny Tattersall and Jordan Thompson lbw cheaply as the score stood at 254 for 6 in the late afternoon.
It was also Brook's first appearance for Yorkshire since July 2022 and he reached his 12th first-class century off 69 balls just before the declaration.