Lyth ton puts Yorkshire in charge

The case for Adam Lyth to become Alastair Cook's next opening partner in Test cricket grew stronger as Yorkshire continued to dominate the Champions County match in Abu Dhabi. Lyth progressed from his overnight score of 53 to a 15th first-class hundred, with Cook watching on from slip, to help his side to a 151-run first-innings advantage over MCC.

Cook, who lasted just six balls on the first day, then had to weather a tricky five-over spell before the close, which included a strident lbw appeal from Jack Brooks. The England captain survived and will have the opportunity to build some form of his own on Tuesday.

Lyth is likely to face competition from Jonathan Trott for a role as opener on England's Test tour of the Caribbean but did his chances of an international debut no harm by becoming the first centurion of the new domestic season, picking up from his fine form in 2014. Lyth, who said his call up had led to a few tears being shed, has already started networking.

"I've chatted with Cookie over the past few days," Lyth told the Guardian. "He said: 'Play how you do for Yorkshire and you'll be fine. And if you need a chat you know where I am.' He seems a really nice guy and very humble. His Test record is up there with the very best and hopefully I'll be batting alongside him in the West Indies if I can impress him and the coaches."

Yorkshire had already made a solid start in reply to MCC's 221 and, although the first session was interrupted by a rain delay, nightwatchman Steve Patterson stuck with Lyth during a 91-run stand for the third wicket that further reduced the arrears. Patterson and Lyth both fell to Kent offspinner Adam Riley but Will Rhodes, on first-class debut, and Andy Hodd put on 104 as Yorkshire opened up a sizeable lead.

Rhodes and Hodd both posted fifties before falling to Chris Rushworth and Matt Dunn, respectively. Graham Onions continued to sit out with a groin strain, leaving Riley and Surrey's slow left-armer Zafar Ansari, to do the bulk of the work, as Yorkshire were eventually dismissed for 372.