Confidence no issue for Lyth as he returns to familiar territory

The 27-year-old was dismissed for seven and 12 in the first Test at Lord’s, but remains adamant he has the ability to succeed at the highest level and is keen to showcase that belief in more familiar surroundings.

Lyth told The Yorkshire Post: “It was fantastic to be involved in such a fantastic Test match but, from a personal perspective, I’d have liked to have got a few more runs under my belt.

“Having said that, I’m pleased with how I’ve gone about my business.

“I am very confident in my ability to play at this level.

“I got an absolute jaffa in the first innings that I couldn’t have done anything with and maybe I could’ve left it alone in the second, but the slope at Lord’s makes things tricky. We’re 1-0 up in the series and have a great chance of going on to win it now.”

The Yorkshireman is now hoping he can prove his Test credentials on his home ground and ensure he is in the running to go on and play against Australia in the subsequent Ashes series.

“We’re all looking forward to going to Headingley, nobody more so than myself,” added Lyth.

“It’s a ground that I know very well and I’m hoping I can put on a show for my home fans. It will be key to see off their new ball attack and then cash in and that’s exactly what I’m planning on doing.”

Former Yorkshire second team coach Paul Farbrace, who is currently in temporary charge of the England side after the dismissal of Peter Moores, has also given Lyth a vote of confidence.

“Paul has told me he’s pleased with the way I’ve gone about things,” said Lyth.

“There’s no pressure on me, I just need to go out there and play my game and score some runs and hopefully they will come at Headingley.

“I feel in good touch at the moment and it was no different at Lord’s, I just got a couple of good deliveries.

“I just need to keep playing the way I have been for the past 12-18 months.”

The former Scarborough batsman, who has been in fine form for the White Rose over the past couple of seasons, admits the step up to Test cricket from the county circuit is vast, but is ready to take his chance.

Yorkshire’s top-order talisman was dismissed by a beautiful delivery by Tim Southee that nipped back and took his outside edge in the first innings, before Trent Boult induced another outside edge that was safely pouched by Southee at third slip in the second.

“Their new ball attack are superb,” said Lyth.

“But then they have another three great bowlers to back them up.

“In county cricket you find that teams have two exceptional bowlers then if you can get past them you can cash in.

“To walk out in front of 20-odd thousand people at Lord’s every day was a superb experience as well.

“There’s obviously a bit more pressure and spotlight on the game when you play for England, but I enjoyed that.

“The atmosphere was fantastic and I am sure it’ll be the same at Headingley this week too.”

The Whitby man is also looking forward to linking up with new coach, Australian Trevor Bayliss.

Bayliss was offered the job after weeks of speculation linking Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie with the post.

“I’ve never come across him (Bayliss) before, but I’m looking forward to working with him very soon,” he said.

“I’ve heard nothing but good things about him.”

One performance that stood out for Lyth was that of man of the match Ben Stokes, who shone with both bat and ball in England’s win.

Stokes made 92 in the first innings before smashing the fastest Test match century at the home of cricket in the second as he made three figures in just 85 balls. The Durham man then got to work with the ball and took 3-53 as England bowled out the Black Caps for just 220.

“It was an absolutely incredible knock from Ben,” said Lyth.

“I think we were around 130 behind when he went into bat and he just completely took the game away from them.

“That could be one of the best knocks I have seen in the flesh, he was just taking their attack to pieces.

“It was great to be able to watch it in person and I’m not sure you’ll see a better Test innings at Lord’s.

“You can’t forget Cooky’s (Alastair Cook) knock though, it was a real captain’s effort just when we needed it the most. A superb effort from him.”