Yorkshire’s Adam Lyth spoke of his relief and delight at ending a near two-year wait for a century during the third day of the Roses clash at Emerald Headingley.
Lyth’s 103 was the feature of Yorkshire’s first-innings 260 before Lancashire responded with 195-5, including a wicket with his off-spinners.
The opener has not posted a century in any format since September 2018, not counting last month’s friendly century against Lancashire here.
Lyth, who has now scored six career centuries against Lancashire in first-class and one-day cricket, also admitted his delight for teenage all-rounder George Hill, who claimed his maiden first-class – and first-team – wicket late in the day.
“It was very, very pleasing to get to a hundred,” said the left-hander. “It has been a while since I last got one and quite frustrating.
“I’ve been trying like hell and have got out in the eighties and nineties. Sometimes when you try too hard, it never happens. Thankfully, I had a bit of luck and got over the line.
“It’s my fourth (first-class) hundred against them, and I’m really pleased.”
The fourth day of this clash looks likely to be washed out by rain, if the forecast proves accurate, leaving both sides with 11 points from the draw going into the final round of Bob Willis Trophy group fixtures.
“It looks like we’re not going to bowl a ball tomorrow with the forecast,” said Lyth.
“But (if no rain) if we don’t make a game of it, then it will just be bonus points. That will be up to both captains whether to force a result.
“It’s ended up being a pretty good wicket now. It was quite like Derby last week – a couple of heavy rollers on it and not really much sideways movement.”
It wasn’t just Hill who earned Lyth’s praise after Yorkshire’s hard-working bowling display.
“Patto (Steve Patterson) was exceptional again with the ball. He doesn’t bowl any bad balls, doesn’t go for runs and picks up vital wickets,” he said.
“I thought Tommo’s (Jordan Thompson) second spell was fantastic. Although he went for a few runs, they were all down to third-man.
“It was also nice to see George (Hill) get his first wicket there. He bowled beautifully.”
Hill enjoyed a memorable day, also posting 29 with the bat whilst completing a seventh-wicket stand of 55 with Lyth.
“He shaped up really nicely with the bat,” said Lyth.
“I’ve heard a lot about him, but haven’t seen much of him. But he looks like he’s got a lot of time – there’s a lot to work with. And he’s bowling is fantastic as well.
“He bowls with decent pace, has good height and swings the ball. Like we’ve seen in the couple of games we’ve played, he’s also controlled the rate, which is fantastic.
“We’ve got four or five really good all-rounders now, and it’s great news for the club looking to the future.
“Waitey got injured (ahead of round one at Durham), which let Tommo in, and he’s been excellent so far. He’s up there with the leading run-scorer and leading wicket-taker.
“You certainly need all-rounders in T20, which bodes well. But I think everyone’s in good form to be honest with ball and bat.”
