It is fair to say this has not been Ajmal Shahzad’s best season.

Injuries and a loss of form have seen the fast bowler drop away from the England reckoning, while his performances for Yorkshire have been erratic to say the least.

However, on day two of the Tykes’ LV= County Championship match with Worcestershire, he reminded everybody of his class to help propel the county towards a vital victory.

Firstly, the 25-year-old was part of a record-breaking tenth-wicket partnership for Yorkshire against these opponents.

He made 70 at Scarborough, with Ryan Sidebottom chipping in with an unbeaten 28 as the two put on 109 for the final wicket.

It beat Brian Sellers and Don Brennan’s efforts in 1948 and is the eighth highest stand for the tenth wicket in the county’s history.

More importantly, it gave Yorkshire a first-innings lead of 199 at North Marine Road, before Worcestershire closed in trouble on 82-4 second time around.

Shahzad came to the crease with the Tykes in strife on 254-8, after Tim Bresnan (41) and Gary Ballance (51) had both played nice cameos, and embarked on a ruthless innings in front of a healthy crowd.

Sidebottom was soon with him when Adil Rashid went for 14, and the duo quickly set about building on a lead that only stood at 90 at that stage.

They were past 300 to bring up the third of four batting points in no time, thanks to some lofty Shahzad blows, before continuing their assault in a partnership which may well decide the outcome of this game.

The standing ovation as they left the field when Shahzad was eventually out said it all, with Yorkshire dismissed for 367.

It helped the Tykes to a lead of almost 200, before their excellent day was completed with the ball.

Shahzad was again integral, trapping Vikram Solanki lbw for 30, while Rich Pyrah and Sidebottom also tasted success by the close.

The duo accounted for Matt Pardoe (2) and Alex Kervezee (10) respectively and, with Anthony McGrath producing a stunning run-out to get rid of Moeen Ali for nought, it really was Yorkshire’s day.

They began this match inside the division one relegation zone but, with Worcestershire still needing 117 more runs to make them bat again, the chances are it will be the visitors in the bottom two by the time the game ends.