Opening batsman Adam Lyth has been urged to tighten up his game by captain Andrew Gale in a bid to replicate last season’s stunning form in the LV= County Championship for Yorkshire.

The 23-year-old England Lions’ left-hander has not scored a hundred in his first six four-day matches this term, only adding three fifties.

“Lythy’s been a bit loose,” said Gale.

“He’s probably searching for the ball a bit too much. He’s got to work harder.

“People work you out quicker, set better fields and bowl better lines to find your weaknesses. He’s just got to work even harder to combat those weaknesses.”

Whitby-born Lyth has not exactly been out of touch as he has scored 283 runs from six matches. But, having set such high standards for himself early last summer, the contrast is startling.

After six matches of the last campaign he had scored 622 runs, including five half-centuries and one ton.

That hundred – 142 off 215 balls – came against Somerset at Taunton, the same fixture that Yorkshire will start today.

Having also scored 93 off 170 balls in the second innings of a match that Yorkshire lost, Lyth said: “Taunton’s generally a nice wicket to bat on, so hopefully I can get a big score to kick-start things.

“I’ve been striking the ball pretty well and haven’t been getting the rewards.

“I’ve been getting out in any way possible. I’ve got in and got out, and that’s been the really disappointing thing.

“I’ve got three or four fifties now, but just haven’t pushed on. I’d like a big score soon, and hopefully that can come this week.”

The best example of Lyth’s comment about finding any possible way to get out was in Sunday’s Clydesdale Bank 40 win over Worcestershire at New Road.

He ran himself out going for a two that was never on to deep backward square-leg as he tried to bring up his 50. He fell for 49.

But the signs of a good run of form are definitely there.

Gale added: “You still saw those big booming cover drives at the start of the game (against Lancashire at Liverpool last week).

“On a wet pitch, he was still able to drive Jimmy Anderson for four. It makes you think ‘crikey’.

“He looked in great touch in the second innings too, but a loose shot cost him again. The thing is with batting, you only get one chance.”

The 40-over win against Worcestershire was just what Yorkshire needed ahead of today’s match, which is followed immediately by a trip to face Sussex at Hove on Sunday.

Having lost to Lancashire in the Championship on Saturday, heads would have been down knowing that they are only one place above the Division One relegation zone due to three defeats from six.

Gale added: “Over the next two weeks we’ll know whether we are going to be fighting at the bottom of the table or whether we can get back up with the front-runners.”