Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Jonny Bairstow, with the help of Adam Lyth, celebrates his sensational century against Surrey today.
Dom Bess hailed hundred heroes Adam Lyth and Jonny Bairstow after the pair helped Yorkshire into a position of strength on day one against Surrey at Headingley.
Yorkshire recovered from 121-4 just after lunch to 362-4 at close, the pair sharing a fifth-wicket 241 unbroken.
Lyth closed on 138 not out and Bairstow unbeaten on 116.
They navigated the threat of Matthew Fisher and co. The former Yorkshire quick struck three times, including removing Joe Root and Harry Brook.
But Surrey failed to gain reward from the end of the 36th over onwards.
With Lyth and Bairstow not out overnight, and with power to add in the morning, it was all-rounder Bess on media duties this evening. And, not surprisingly, he was delighted with what he had watched from the dressing room.
He said: “Going from losing the toss and going into bat, then losing two early poles, for Adam and Jonny to do what they’ve done, I think they controlled the game and we’ve had an excellent day.
“When Fish took three, they’re looking at cracking it open and are probably thinking about batting tonight. But the way we batted was fantastic.
“The way Adam batted all day, he showed his class again. Then Jonny does what Jonny does. He rotates the strike, and when he gets an opportunity to take someone down he does.
“I think we would probably have bowled.
“When someone’s fielded all day, your perception is that it hasn’t done a huge amount. But I still think there was a good amount of swing in the air.
“I think it’s a good, traditional wicket, and it’s only going to get quicker.”
And Bess added: “It’s a great day.
“I think the skill now, and the thing that we’ve been missing out on, is to kick on and make sure we get maximum batting points in the morning and then sort of put them under pressure for two to two-and-a-half-days.”
