Yorkshire coach Gillespie offers Lyth a way back from the wilderness (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie offers Adam Lyth a way back from the wilderness

6:10am Thursday 26th April 2012 in Yorkshire By Graham Hardcastle

Adam Lyth is by no means Yorkshire’s forgotten man.

The fluent left-handed batsman, close to England selection as recently as late 2010, has been consigned to second-team action during the opening weeks of the current county campaign.

He is behind the likes of Joe Root and Joe Sayers in the fight for a berth at the top of the order in the LV= County Championship, and it was even reported by one source last week that he was set for a loan move away from Headingley.

Lyth will not be involved in Yorkshire’s latest four-day match against Kent at Canterbury, which starts today.

Instead he has been watching the rain fall in Harrogate as Yorkshire’s second string host Leicestershire in a three-day match.

But White Rose first-team coach Jason Gillespie has urged the Whitby-born player to keep his chin up, insisting that he will get his chance to impress.

Be your own best selector and demand a place in the team through performances

Jason Gillespie

“He won’t be going on loan because he’s an important member of our squad,” said the Australian.

“Adam Lyth is just an unlucky guy. Phil Jaques has obviously come over from Australia and is playing here, and unfortunately we just can’t find room for him at the moment.

“There are a couple of guys who are very close but you can only pick eleven. It’s been really tough in terms of selection. I’m sure there’ll be opportunities, as we’ve told him.

“I’m a big fan of his, and runs on the board will give him the best opportunity to get selected.”

It is not just in the batting department where Gillespie and captain Andrew Gale have been left with some tough decisions, with fast bowlers Oliver Hannon-Dalby and Moin Ashraf also having to make do with second XI action.

And, with the prospect of Australian Test bowler Mitchell Starc arriving at Headingley next month, competition for places will only get fiercer.

“Performances on the board will demand selection. Say to the coach, say to the selectors ‘right, I want to play, here’s my performances’,” continued Gillespie.

“Be your own best selector and demand a place in the team through performances. That’s what we reiterate to all our players. Sometimes you’re going to miss out, that’s just the way it is unfortunately. But give yourself the best chance.”

After topping 1,500 runs in 2010, the dip in Lyth’s fortunes started last summer with a series of low scores.

And, despite scoring 96 and 82 in pre-season matches both at home and abroad last month, he has failed to break into the team.

“I’m not saying that this is the team for the next month because professional cricket is a performance-based sport,” said Gillespie. “I’m sure he’ll will get his chance.”