England star Harry Brook hit a stunning final day 100 not out in his first competitive innings since December as Yorkshire and Leicestershire had to settle for an opening round Vitality County Championship draw at Headingley.

Brook arrived at the crease four balls into day four of this weather-ravaged Division Two fixture, overnight rain and a wet outfield once again delaying the start of play.

Yorkshire started, at 1.35pm, on 72-2 in their first-innings reply to Leicestershire’s 354.

George Hill fell caught off a miscue in the day’s opening over, paving the way for Brook to come in and royally entertain the hardy 178 spectators who had waited patiently for play.

He smashed 14 fours and two sixes in 69 balls, Yorkshire declaring immediately on 264-6 just before tea in order to improve a slow over-rate from the first innings. 

They did this successfully as spinners Dan Moriarty and Adam Lyth raced through 7.2 overs before the rain arrived at 4pm with Leicestershire on 26 without loss in their second innings. No more play was possible.

Yorkshire take 12 points and Leicestershire 13. 

Brook shared 128 inside 16 overs for the fourth wicket with fellow centurion Lyth, who played second fiddle despite posting his 101 off 100 balls. Yorkshire’s opener started started the day on 43. 

Pacy Ben Mike, formerly of Yorkshire, impressed with 4-44 for the Foxes.

Brook’s last competitive innings was for England against the West Indies in a pre-Christmas T20 in Trinidad and Tobago, where he scored seven in a defeat.

The 25-year-old was due to tour India with England’s Test team at the start of the year and also play for Delhi Capitals in the ongoing Indian Premier League.

But he withdrew from both assignments, with his grandmother Pauline passing away.

Brook preferred to play his cricket with Yorkshire so he could be around his grieving family.

He will play the opening five Championship matches of the summer before turning his attentions to preparations for June’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA.

Earlier in this game, Leicestershire were rocked by Hill (3-55) and Matt Milnes (4-73) taking three top-order wickets apiece, as they slumped to 177-7.

But the tail wagged in spectacular fashion, and with Mike (90) putting on a remarkable 119 for the ninth wicket with Tom Scriven (56), the visitors recovered to post 354 all out.