If you think Adam Leith is in the final stages of his illustrious career, think again. The Yorkshire legend has no plans to retire and has some big goals for the next few years.
The 36-year-old opening batsman is speaking ahead of the new season – the final phase of his current contract at Leith, Headingley.
They are confident of promotion to the Vitality County Championship, although by no means certain, despite being favorites for the county title.
“We are in Division Two and our aim is to get out of it,” he said. “Looking at the first six or seven games, we have Rooty and Brookie available, and that eleven is looking very strong. But it still won’t be easy.
“We have to play good cricket for a long time,” he said.
“It is not certain that because we have both of them in the team, we will win every week.
“We have to play well and earn the right to get into positions to take the game forward. Hopefully then we can finish the game.”
Photo by Alan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Adam Lyth celebrates a century against Durham at his home ground Scarborough last August.
If everything goes according to plan, the two-time Championship winners in 2014 and 2015 would love to add to that silverware collection, and not just in red-ball cricket.
“Absolutely,” he continued. “Our aim is to get out of Division One and mix it with the big boys.
“I want us to win as many trophies as possible.
“I would love to win a white-ball trophy.
“We haven’t had one since 2002, and I’d love to put a tick on that.
“But if it is not in white ball, make it the second division and even another Championship title. Those days were incredible.”
Photo by Alan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Adam Lyth and opening partner Finn Bean.
Leith is certainly closer to the end of his career than the beginning of it. But, instead of coming up to the final hurdle, he is coming around the last few turns and ready to run down the last few furlongs.
“I will play as long as I can,” he said.
“As long as I am performing well on the field and the club wants me, I want to stay here.
“I am incredibly proud of what I have done at this great club, but I have no intention of ending it – there is no chance. I still have goals in my career. I am still doing well in Blast and The Hundred. This may continue for a long time.
“I am about 1,400 runs short of 15,000 first-class runs. I would like to mark that and get as much as I can.
“If I could do that, I would also like to reach my forties (in terms of first-class centuries, currently 32).
Photo by Alan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Adam Leith models Yorkshire’s new Vitality County Championship shirt.
“I’m no closer to being finished here yet. “Hopefully there are at least three or four, maybe five, seasons left.”
Leith knows exactly what it takes to win Championship titles and was asked if any comparisons could be made between Yorkshire’s current team and the great teams of 2014 and 2015.
“It definitely has the potential, but it doesn’t have the experience that we had,” he said.
“But I think everyone has improved over the winter, everyone is fitter and stronger. Touch wood, all of our seamers are fitted and ready to go. We have a very exciting summer ahead.”
Leith believes that Yorkshire did not play the quality cricket required to achieve promotion last season: “In my opinion we did not play well enough,” he reflected.
“This year, we will start again with a healthy fit team.
Photo by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com. Adam Lyth celebrates a Test century for England against New Zealand at Headingley in 2015.
“Hopefully me, Benny, Shaan and Brookie and Root can get runs on the board. If we do that then I have no doubt that we have the ability to take 20 wickets.
Leith was Yorkshire’s top scorer in the Championship last season with 1,019 – one of only eight batsmen in Division Two to top 1,000 points.
He added, “I would like to do it again this year, score some big centuries and win some games for Yorkshire.” “That’s all I want to do.
“I’m feeling really good, and I’m really happy with how my pre-season went. It was a wonderful 11 days in Abu Dhabi. I played well on the tour and hit the ball well.”
Lyth’s main job is to score runs for Yorkshire, as he has done in all formats.
He is in the top 30 first-class run-scorers in the club’s history with 12,894, and he is Yorkshire’s leading all-time T20 run-scorer with 3,921 – almost 1,700 more than his nearest rival for that label, the retired Andrew Gayle. .
Photo by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com. Adam Lyth has combined the success of red ball and white ball.
But a more important task is to help mentor youngsters like his starting partner, Finn Bean.
“I’ve really enjoyed helping the young lads and giving little bits of guidance here and there,” he said.
“I am an open book. If anyone wants to talk to me they can pick up the phone any time, I am very open. I am ready to help.
“My start as a young professional was obviously with Vaughn, McGrath and Rudolph. They helped me a lot to get to where I am and I want to give that back to the new boys in the changing room.”
There is a possibility that such guidance could prepare Leith to pursue a career in coaching after playing: “Potentially,” he admitted. “I haven’t earned any of my coaching badges, but I’d like to experiment.”
However, right now, runs, wins and trophies are at the forefront of his mind on the eve of the summer of 2024 – his 19th as a professional.
The fire inside him still burns as brightly as it never did before.
“I can’t wait to get started,” he said ahead of Friday’s opening match against Leicestershire at Headingley.
Photo by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com. Adam Lyth won three individual awards at the end of Yorkshire’s Championship title-winning campaign in 2014 – Players’ Player of the Year, Members’ Player of the Year and Fielder of the Year.
