Lyth of the party: Can Yorkshire's Adam stake a claim for an England one-day spot?

TAHA HASHIM: While his form in red-ball cricket has regressed over the last few seasons, it has been in the shortest format of the game that Lyth has really caught the eye

^{Adam Lyth has been in good form for Yorkshire}

To those who cast their eyes only on international cricket, Adam Lyth is a name that doesn’t ring too many bells.

The Yorkshire batsman is best remembered for his short stint at the top of the order for England’s Test side during the summer of 2015. Although Lyth started brightly with a maiden hundred against New Zealand in his second Test, he endured a difficult Ashes series, in which he amassed 105 runs at an average of 13.12.

While he seems to have faded away from contention for a place in the Test ranks, the Whitby-born opener, who once had trials at Manchester City, remains a key figure for his county.

However, while his form in red-ball cricket has regressed over the last few seasons, it has been in the shortest format of the game that Lyth has really caught the eye.

In the 2017 T20 blast, he averaged 44.58, with his 535 runs coming at a strike-rate of 164.61. The centre-piece of his campaign was a breath-taking innings of 161 from 73 deliveries against Northants, striking seven sixes and 20 fours to take his side to a monumental total of 260.

^{Lyth had a tough time in England's Test team}

Lyth has entered this year’s Blast in a similar vein of form. Although he departed without troubling the scorers against Birmingham on Sunday, it followed a match-winning 92 not out against Durham three days earlier, as he took apart the Durham bowling attack with nine fours and three sixes.

Strong square of the wicket, Lyth is an exquisite timer of the ball. Those who witnessed his only Test hundred at Headingley can testify to this, as he navigated his way to three figures against a bowling attack featuring the likes of Tim Southee and Trent Boult.

Nevertheless, he isn’t afraid to clear his front-foot and go hell for leather, or advance down the track against pace in the manner of the great Matthew Hayden.

Unfortunately for him, an England call-up remains unlikely, such is the strength in depth of white-ball openers in the current side. Although Alex Hales and Jason Roy have been a constant presence at the top of the order for England in T20 internationals over the last few years, Paul Farbrace opted to utilise the in-form Jos Buttler as Roy’s partner before the T20i against Australia in June, with Hales demoted down the order.

^{Could he be an option for his country in white-ball cricket?}

Buttler and Roy did not disappoint as a pairing, with partnerships of 95, 50, 16 and 94 in their four outings together this summer. With ODI opener Jonny Bairstow also in the middle-order, it would appear that England only have to look from within if either injuries or lack of form see towards a need for change.

Lyth’s focus will consequently be directed towards improving Yorkshire’s recent record in the Blast. After reaching Finals Day in 2016, the White Rose failed to progress through the group stage last year, finishing their campaign with six wins from 14 games.

If Lyth’s sights are set on an England recall, his best chances remain in the longest format, with Keaton Jennings yet to establish himself and the merry-go-round of opening batsmen since Andrew Strauss’ retirement in 2012 still on the go.