Adam Lyth believes playing franchise cricket at this time of year is a win-win scenario as the start of the new county season closes in.

The experienced opener is one of seven Yorkshire players currently away at competitions in Australia, Bangladesh, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

Lyth is playing in the ILT20 competition in the UAE for the Gulf Giants, where Jordan Thompson (MI Emirates) and Adil Rashid (Sharjah Warriors) are also featuring.

Jonny Bairstow (Joburg Super Kings) and Joe Root (Paarl Royals) are playing in South Africa’s SAT20.

Jafer Chohan is representing Sydney Sixers in Australia’s Big Bash and Dawid Malan is with Fortune Barisal in the Bangladesh Premier League. 

Some of those players have other commitments prior to the start of the county season, such as Root and Rashid with England at next month’s Champions Trophy.

Adam Lyth

Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Adam Lyth is currently in the UAE on T20 franchise duty.

And not all of the seven have played regularly for their respective franchises. Thompson is yet to play for MI, while Chohan and Malan only debuted for their respective sides earlier this week having sat out the early stages of the BBL and BPL.

“It’s perfect whether you’re playing or not,” said Lyth, who has scored 11 and one in his first two games for the Giants, who have Ottis Gibson on staff as bowling coach. 

“You’re inside in the cold back at home.

“If you’re playing, it’s brilliant.

“But, if you’re not, you can keep your fitness up to scratch and you’re outside on grass nets bowling or batting against world-class players, practicing for both your red and white ball skills ahead of what’s to come this summer.

“You’re learning all the time, even at my age.”

Jafer Chohan

Picture by Sarah Reed/Getty Images, Jafer Chohan debuted for Sydney Sixers in Adelaide earlier this week.

Lyth was speaking from Dubai earlier this week, and whilst out there he got the news of Mick Lewis’s appointment as Yorkshire’s bowling coach.

The Australian has followed head coach Anthony McGrath from Essex to Headingley and joins batting coach John Sadler as part of Yorkshire’s new coaching staff ahead of 2025. 

“Firstly, it was sad to see the old staff go. But, in sport, that kind of thing happens,” said Lyth.  

“I’ve known Mags since I was a kid, coming through at the club and doing 12th man at 16 or 17. He took me under his wing and was great for me as a senior player.

“He’s a great bloke, a wonderful coach and a people person. 

“I’m really happy that he’s come back to the club. Speaking to a few of the Essex boys who are out here, they’re absolutely gutted that he’s left them.

Mick Lewis Anthony McGrath

Picture by Alex Davidson/Getty Images. Adam Lyth has a long-standing relationship with Anthony McGrath, who has brought Mick Lewis (right) with him from Chelmsford.

“I’m very excited to get back to working with him. I’m sure there will be plenty of laughs on and off the field. 

“I don’t know Mick Lewis that well other than sharing a beer with him when we’ve played down at Essex. But Mags trusts him 100 percent, and it tells you everything you need to know that they’ve had success together at Essex and he wants to come up here and try and emulate that.”

Lyth added: “When new staff come in, you usually have to build relationships. Luckily for myself, I’ve known Mags a long time – as I said – and Sads as well. I played against him for a number of years and know him really well. 

“The younger lads won’t know them as well, clearly, but they will really enjoy working with them.

“I’m sure they’ll all do a great job. 

“Hopefully we can win some games and be right in the mix to challenge come the back end of the year.”

John Sadler

Picture by David Rogers/Getty Images. Former Yorkshire junior John Sadler has returned to Headingley from Northamptonshire and will work closely with Adam Lyth and Yorkshire’s batters.

 

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