There is a well known phrase that suggests a week is a long time in football, but Yorkshire’s cricketers are demonstrating that a fortnight is a long time in cricket.

This time two weeks ago, the White Rose were preparing for their opening LV= County Championship match against Warwickshire following a winter of critics warning that they were in for a basement battle.

The departure of some high profile experience, the appointment of the club’s youngest professional captain in its history and a winter of woe with various overseas signings left bookmakers installing them as relegation favourites.

Despite all of this, there has been an unwavering belief within the White Rose dressing room that they have the talent to spring a surprise.

And two wins in the opening two rounds has fired them to top spot in LV= Division One.

Yorkshire are now third favourites to win the title behind champions Durham and Nottinghamshire.

Opening batsman Adam Lyth said: “Everyone was writing us off at the start of the season, but we all know how good we are as young lads and young cricketers.

“I’m really delighted for Andrew Gale. I’ve played with him for four or five years now, and I’m really happy with him being captain. Hopefully we can win something under him this year.”

They are confident words from the 22-year-old left-hander, who was out of the Championship side for much of last season, but there is a note of caution.

He added: “It’s only two games, so we mustn’t get carried away. We need to go to Kent and carry on this hard work.”

Lyth, whose only Championship century to date was in a losing cause against Nottinghamshire in 2008, only played four Division One matches last term.

But he has benefited from Jacques Rudolph’s desire to bat at No 4, and is revelling in partnering Joe Sayers. He notched two important half-centuries in the victories against Warwickshire and Somerset.

He hit 67 in pursuit of 291 at Edgbaston and 90 in pursuit of 198 at Headingley on Sunday afternoon, setting his side up nicely for tomorrow’s fixture against Kent at Canterbury.

“Last year I was in and out of the side and batting at four and five, now I’m just happy to be playing. I feel in good nick, and hopefully a hundred is just around the corner. It would be good if it could come at Kent,” he said.

Tim Bresnan and Ajmal Shahzad could miss the final day of the Championship match at Kent as England consider travelling to the West Indies via land, ship and a flight from Dubai.

Competition rules allow a substitute, or two in this case, to be brought in.

Bresnan, Shahzad and Adil Rashid have been named in England’s 27-man Performance Squad for the summer internationals.

It gives the national management first say on their movements.