THE general consensus was honours even at the end of a fascinating opening day between Yorkshire and Surrey at Scarborough.

Yorkshire finished on 299-8, boosted by a 100 partnership between seventh-wicket pair Jonny Tattersall and Tim Bresnan.

Surrey had Yorkshire at 166-6 after the hosts had elected to bat, but Tattersall’s 70 and Bresnan’s 48 changed things.

Earlier, Gary Ballance struck 54.

For Surrey, Morne Morkel impressed with 2-53 from 23 overs, although he conceded 19 runs off the final over of the day, including three no balls.

Tattersall said: "It was nice to get some runs, and hopefully we can get that extra one for another point in the morning.

"I batted with Tim Bresnan at the end of the 50-over game against Northants a couple of weeks ago, and he helped see that game home. I've batted with him before, but it was nice to get that 100 partnership because it was crucial. It's been a good day. It's difficult to say who is ahead.

“Historically, Scarborough has always been a quick-scoring ground. But there's a little bit in that wicket. I was chatting to Tim, and we thought they maybe bowled a bit wide at us.

“We think there's enough in the pitch. Hopefully, when we get a chance to bowl tomorrow, we put the ball in the right areas and it's an above par score.

"Morne's got that bit of extra bounce, which did for me. But it was nice to get some runs against a good attack."

There is a familiar face in the Surrey dressing room this week, with Ryan Sidebottom returning to an old stomping ground as Surrey’s bowling consultant following retirement as a player with the White Rose last summer.

He said: ”We've just said in the dressing room that we're pretty pleased as a unit. Sometimes you have periods where the opposition get on top, but all in all it's been a really good day.

“The guys have bowled well, and the opposition are allowed to play well.

"Tim Bresnan and Jonny Tattersall put on a good partnership there, but a couple of late wickets and it's honours even. We're pretty pleased with the way the day's gone.

"We know this pitch is a very good cricket wicket. We know if you bowl well, you get good value. But one partnership can change it. They scored freely.

"It's been a really good day's cricket. Tomorrow's another day. But we have them eight down and are happy."