Tom Kohler-Cadmore is hoping Adam Lyth’s opening day century can breed confidence through the Yorkshire dressing room.
Lyth struck a superb 108 not out on day one of their two-day Roses friendly against Lancashire at Emerald Headingley, retiring at tea to give others time in the middle.
He shared 170 either side of lunch with opening partner Kohler-Cadmore, who made a fluent 70.
The latter, a winter England Lions tourist, is now hoping more White Rose batsmen can follow Lyth’s lead as they bid for success in the shortened Bob Willis Trophy, starting next week.
“Lythy played beautifully, and it’s nice to have a first hundred for the team and to get that rolling before the start of the season,” he said.
“It would be great if we can push on from that now.”
All eight Yorkshire batsmen faced at least 30 balls in their innings, with Tom Loten (seven) the only one not to reach double figures.
“Everyone would like to face more, but Tom still got in and batted a little bit of time. Hopefully that will give a little bit of confidence,” said Kohler-Cadmore.
“It was just about trying to find your feet so that when Saturday comes you’re in a great position and walking out confident.”
Not surprisingly, Kohler-Cadmore was delighted to back in action after the early summer lay-off.
“It was really good,” he said.
“It was nice to get some runs under my belt and get back to playing, a nice start to what will hopefully be a successful season for us.
“It was a little bit weird, but more so with pre-game routines and such. Once you were out there, it was just facing a ball. We’ve been doing that in the nets for the last few weeks, so it wasn’t too dissimilar. But it was nice to have some extra competition on it.
“It takes you more back to a child where you see it as fun as opposed to taking it for granted that you’ll play a full season.
“It was just nice to be able to go and play cricket again, and even nicer when you have a semi good day.”
Kohler-Cadmore and Lyth now look set to open the batting together at Durham next weekend.
The former added: “It’s just so easy batting with him (Lythy).
“I think we complement each other quite well with the way we both play.
“Left and right hand helps. They will go through periods where they bowl bad to me and well to him. If we get a single, they have to change everything.
“He capitalises on length so well and puts them under pressure. They then have to go fuller, which gives me a couple of drives when I come on strike.
“It works really well, and it’s great to see when you’re 100 and whatever for none.”
Lancashire’s bowlers worked hard all day, enjoying their most productive spell after tea with three wickets.
“Early doors I played and missed quite a bit, and it’s nibbled around all day,” added Kohler-Cadmore. “It’s been a tiny bit slow, so you’re able to adjust.
“Graham Onions and Tom Bailey, I thought they bowled beautifully early doors, and they could have had us both out for under 10.
“It was one of those days where we managed to get through and get a couple of bad balls. The momentum built that way.”