Adam Lyth has reiterated his desire to finish his career as a Yorkshire player after signing a two-year contract extension at Emerald Headingley.
Opening batsman Lyth, who already had a deal running until the end of the forthcoming summer, has now committed himself to wearing the White Rose until at least the end of 2022.
Last season, the now 32-year-old went beyond 10,000 first-class runs for Yorkshire and currently sits on 10,674 for all teams, including England, for whom he played seven Test Matches in 2015, and the Lions.
He has set his sights on reaching the 15,000-mark. But, more importantly, is confident that Yorkshire are on the right track in terms of adding more silverware to their cabinet following back-to-back Specsavers County Championships in 2014 and 2015.
Lyth, who is celebrating a testimonial year at Headingley in 2020, admitted his desire to remain at Yorkshire until the end of his playing days when he last signed a new contract in early 2018 and has now reaffirmed that wish.
“There wasn’t too much negotiation. It was really quick, and it’s fantastic to get this contract sorted,” he said.
“It’s obviously a really important year for myself on and off the field, so to be able to get this done I’m over the moon with it.
“It’s an exciting time for the club, and hopefully we can win some silverware during the next couple of seasons.”
Whitby-born Lyth debuted for Yorkshire in late 2006 and has gone on to make 393 appearances for the county across all three formats, scoring 16,419 runs and taking 57 wickets with his off-spinners.
In his haul of 16,000 plus runs, he has reached 100 on 28 occasions, including a career best first-class score of 251.
He said: “I started my career here as a young lad and want to finish it as a Yorkshire player. I really can’t see myself playing anywhere else in county cricket.
“Obviously there have been other teams I’ve played for in franchise cricket around the world, and hopefully that continues. But Yorkshire is the only county for me.
“It’s a club heading in the right direction, without doubt.
“There has been a transition over the last few years, but this summer I think we can be right up there in all competitions with the signings we’ve made and the progression of the younger lads.
“Dawid Malan is a fantastic player who has a wealth of experience of playing all formats. The overseas players as well (Ravi Ashwin, Keshav Maharaj and Nicholas Pooran), they’re all high quality. They are signings we needed to make to help us build something very special here.”
So, with three more years nailed down in a Yorkshire shirt, how would they perfectly play out?
“To score as many runs as I can and put in some match-winning performances to help us win that silverware I mentioned,” he added. “Then, you never know, if I do what I’m capable of there might be another call-up for England.
“I’m really happy with where my game is. I’d love a few more runs here and there, although I think every batsman will tell you that.
“Opening the batting is tough, but I’m sure I can put in some big performances over the next few seasons that I’ve signed for. Personally, my next goal is 15,000 first-class runs. That’s what I think I’m very capable of doing.”
Yorkshire’s director of cricket Martyn Moxon said: “Obviously Adam has performed in all competitions for us, and he’s done particularly well in T20 over the past couple of seasons.
“In Championship cricket he’s been consistent. Hopefully he can turn some of the starts he got last season into big scores, which would be match-winning contributions.
“But, overall, he’s been a very consistent performer for us for a number of years. He’s a highly experienced player and someone who’s a great team man. He’s a vital part of the squad moving forward.
“Any team needs experienced players to be around our younger ones, and he’s a great role model. He works extremely hard at his game, he’s a fit lad and contributes with bat, ball and in the field. He’s an outstanding fielder – a great slip fielder. One of the best around.”
Lyth first wore the White Rose aged 11 and even trialled as a budding footballer with Manchester City.
Moxon added: “He’s always been someone who’s very enthusiastic. He’s a bubbly character, full of life. He’s also a very natural talent. He’s a natural sportsman, it’s not just cricket. He’s very talented in a number of sports.”
