Lyth shows his artistry in becoming first to 1,000 runs

Yorkshire's Ryan Sidebottom (second left) is congratulated on the wicket of Middlesex's Chris Rodgers.

This is Yorkshire, after all, where folk are normally more sensible than spontaneous with their brass, and where they do not usually have a spare few hundred quid on them when they pop to the cricket.

Still, full marks for trying, with Russell appearing to have more success in shifting copies of his latest book, ‘The Art of Jack Russell: A Personal Journey Through Eighteen Counties’.

At any event, punters were far too busy watching Yorkshire’s Adam Lyth, who treated them to an exhibition of cricketing art en route to 117 on the opening day.

As Yorkshire reached 211-6 after being put into bat, on a day when 20 overs were lost to the weather, Lyth performed with trademark flourish.

His most memorable brush strokes were the square drive and cover drive, each performed with an artist’s touch.

Lyth unfurled a number among his 14 boundaries, including two in three balls off Steven Finn.

The pace bowler could only watch and admire along with the 2,200 crowd, a disappointing attendance that reflected the weather.

Lyth’s century – in cloudy and humid conditions – was his first at Scarborough in first-class cricket.

The 26-year-old, who plays his club cricket here, prospered on a dry and green-looking pitch.

He had one life, Eoin Morgan dropping him on 75 in the gully off Toby Roland-Jones, but was otherwise chanceless until he edged Tom Helm to second slip.

When he reached 113, Lyth became the first man this summer to 1,000 runs in Division One of the Championship, a feat he also performed in 2010.

In testing conditions, which the Middlesex attack did not make best use of, Lyth added 49 for the first wicket with Alex Lees.

The latter fell to a fine ball from Roland-Jones that took the outside edge on its way to the wicketkeeper.

Lyth and Kane Williamson added 43 before Williamson was bowled by Finn, Lyth striking up an 85-run stand with Andrew Gale before the captain slapped Finn to point.

Yorkshire lost three wickets in six overs before bad light ended play at 7.28pm, Jonny Bairstow bowled by Helm and Jack Leaning bowled by Roland-Jones before Lyth fell four balls before stumps were drawn.