Adam Lyth will make his 200th first-class appearance this week, and it is fitting that Lancashire will be the opponents as he just loves playing against them.
Lyth lines up on Thursday (11am) at Headingley for a Roses game between two unbeaten sides in four respective LV= Insurance County Championship fixtures in 2022.
The 34-year-old opener has an exceptional Roses Championship record; 983 runs from 16 games with four hundreds, including a best of 251.
He has only scored more runs in his career against Hampshire, Nottinghamshire and Somerset, though all from more appearances.
“They’re the games, against your rivals, that you want to do well in,” said the opener.
“I don’t think I play any differently against them to any other team, or raise my game. But I have done well against them in the past. Hopefully that can continue.
“Two hundred games, it’s a nice milestone to reach – and against Lancs makes it even more special.
“Two good teams going at it in a Roses clash, I’m looking forward to it.”
Lyth has nearly 12,000 first-class runs to his name and countless memories.
If you look around the field when Yorkshire are in it, you only have to look at his treasured county cap to know that.
In truth, it looks like it has seen better days. Well, it has certainly seen some good ones!
Awarded to him in 2010, the Whitby-born star has since won two Championship titles (2014 and 2015).
The cap represents the blood, sweat, tears and celebrations which have gone into a career started in 2007 and still going strong.
“Everyone says, ‘Why don’t you change it?’ No chance,” revealed the left-hander.
“My grandma’s stitching is holding it together. It doesn’t smell too great, but it’s my cap and it ain’t going anywhere.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d play 200 games. It’s a proud moment for me and my family, and hopefully there’s many more to come.”
Lyth is far from an old stager, but he is clearly closer to the end of his career than the start. His enthusiasm, however, shines as bright as ever.
“I just love the game and love competing,” he continued.
“We have a fantastic set of lads here, and I want to keep playing as long as I can. Hopefully there’s many more milestones to come.”
But for how long? “For another five or six years,” he said. So, into his forties? “If I can, yeah.”
Lyth name checks Anthony McGrath, Jacques Rudolph, Kevin Sharp, Andrew Gale, Martyn Moxon and Ian Dews as the biggest influences on his career.
“There’s too many to mention, and I’ll forget names. Apologies for that,” he continued. “But those are the main guys who’ve helped me.”
In terms of personal highlights and innings to remember, Lyth points to his career best 251 at Old Trafford in 2014 and two other centuries at Trent Bridge.
He said: “My first century at Trent Bridge (2008) was probably the innings where I knew I could play at this level.
“Then, the game at Trent Bridge where I scored a hundred and the team won the Championship in 2014.
“My first Championship title, I’ll always remember that, and 2014 was probably my best year with seven hundreds. That was a fantastic season for me and more for the team.”
Just as the likes of McGrath, Rudolph and co did with him, Lyth is enjoying his role of helping to progress Yorkshire’s current crop of up and comers.
