Lyth and England teammates return to boost Tykes

England's Adam Lyth throws during a fielding practice at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda, Sunday, April 12, 2015. England will play West Indies for three cricket Test matches starting April 13. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Former Scarborough CC batsman Lyth, did not play a Test during his time in the Caribbean tour, but he looks set to replace Jonathan Trott as Alastair Cook’s opening partner for the opening Test against New Zealand at Lord’s later this month.

After a poor series in the West Indies Trott announced his retirement from international cricket earlier this week, so Lyth looks to be in prime position to replace the Warwickshire batsman and will be wanting to get among the runs to enhance his chances.

Spinner Rashid, back-up wicketkeeper Bairstow and paceman Plunkett will also have a point to prove as they also did not feature in the drawn series.

Lyth, speaking abiout his debut tour for England, said: “I really enjoyed my time with England. Even though I didn’t play in the Test series, I gained a lot from the trip and how you prepare for international cricket.

“I’m hopeful that I will get my chance against New Zealand later this month and finally represent my country.

“I am very confident that I will play, but in the meantime I need to start the season well with Yorkshire and get some runs starting this weekend against Hampshire.”

The Whitby-based left-handed is looking forward to getting his campaign under way: “It will be a challenge but I relish the pressure. I’m looking forward to opening the batting with Alex (Lees) and continuing where we left off last season.

“Hampshire will come here with some confidence. They are good side and deserved to get promoted. They have some quality players and a strong bowling attack. We will have to play well to get something out of the game.”

The England quartet replace James Middlebrook, Andrew Hodd and Matthew Fisher, the latter will miss Yorkshire’s next two Championship matches due to taking exams.

The starting XI will be named before the toss on Sunday.

Yorkshire 12-man squad to face Hampshire: Jonathan Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Jack Brooks, Tim Bresnan, Andrew Gale (captain), Jack Leaning, Alex Lees, Adam Lyth, Steve Patterson, Liam Plunkett, Cheteshwar Pujara, Adil Rashid, Will Rhodes.