OPENER Alex Lees was his own sternest critic after his fine century helped Yorkshire respond strongly to Nottinghamshire’s 428 all out on the second day of the LV= Division One game at Trent Bridge.

The 22-year-old made exactly 100 off 223 balls, an innings that included 11 fours, before being caught behind by wicketkeeper Chris Read off Will Gidman the ball after reaching his landmark.

Yorkshire closed on 226-3, with skipper Andrew Gale undefeated on 13 and Jack Leaning three not out.

“With Adam Lyth not there and the other guys missing in the West Indies, someone needed to stand up,” said Lees, as he reflected on his role in an understrength White Rose side.

“So although I am still relatively inexperienced, I am trying to take a bit of that pressure by being as consistent as possible.

“I got out to a short wide ball and I thought I did half a job out there,” he continued, “but we’re in a decent position and hopefully the other lads can carry on from the good start.”

Lees’s self-criticism is admirably honest from a cricketer still learning his trade. He batted very well indeed for his century but was also reprieved on 59 and 79, the first when Samit Patel dropped a catch at slip off Vernon Philander and the second when Patel put down a catch off his own bowling.

However, the opener got his head down and added 112 for the second wicket with Cheteshwar Pujara, who made 57, his first half century for Yorkshire, before being caught at midwicket off Patel by substitute fielder Ben Kitt.

Pujara had come to the wicket when Will Rhodes, another graduate of Yorkshire’s Academy, had been caught by Patel at second slip off Harry Gurney for 41 with the total on 66.

In the morning session Yorkshire had taken the last three wickets at a cost of 35 runs, with Jack Brooks removing Vernon Philander for seven. However, the prize wicket of Alex Hales was taken by Yorkshire’s best bowler Steve Patterson, who castled the Nottinghamshire opener for 236 and finished with 3-78