Alex Lees and Adam Lyth's unbeaten stand puts Yorkshire in command

A disastrous start saw the visitors bowled out for 136 in their first innings on Saturday.

But Lyth and Lees shared an unbroken opening partnership of 237 in 77 overs to help Yorkshire grab the contest by the throat during the second day after conceding a first-innings lead of 115.

Lyth will resume tomorrow morning on 116 not out with fellow left-hander Lees for company on 105 as the pair aim to build on a lead which currently stands at 122.

They have shared the highest opening partnership anywhere in the country this summer and it is only the third double century opening stand for Yorkshire in matches against Northants.

After 17 wickets fell on Saturday’s first day following Northants’ decision to bowl first, only three fell yesterday as they advanced from 191-7 to 251 all out in reply.

Aaron Finch top-scored in the first innings with 34 from number six in the order before Jack Brooks continued his excellent start to the season with 4-78 from 17 overs at his former home.

Adil Rashid took two of the three Northants wickets to fall today, including Ben Duckett, who was bowled by Rashid’s first ball for 51 as he reverse swept.

Conditions were not easy for batting on Saturday, although far from impossible. There was a bit of nibble in the pitch and swing on offer, but there were a number of rash shots played from batsmen on both sides.

Yorkshire’s second innings was in complete contrast as batting conditions eased.

There were very few obvious chances given by the pair, although Lees was dropped at mid-wicket by Rob Newton on 78 off Matt Spriegel’s off-spin.

While this was Lees’s first Championship hundred of the summer, brought up off 222 balls, Lyth had recorded his second off 194 beforehand.

After reaching his fifty off 68 balls, Lyth had to be patient as Northants resorted to some negative bowling to try and force a mistake. He spent more than 50 balls in the nineties.