Anthony McGrath enjoyed his return to county cricket with 86, as Yorkshire ended the first day on a comfortable 340 for 6.
Steve Harmison did the early damage with the ball, dismissing both Yorkshire openers, Matthew Wood and Stephen Fleming cheaply, but McGrath began the recovery which was carried forward with an un-defeated 143-run stand between Craig White (82 not out) and Andrew Gray (60 not out). Shoaib Akhtar had a quiet day, finishing wicketless from 14 overs.