New season, same old Yorkshire. In fact, same old Jonny Bairstow.

The champions may have encountered an early stutter as they slipped to 41-3 inside 21 overs of their Specsavers County Championship opener against Hampshire at Headingley yesterday, but they hit back strongly to close on 270-5 from 75.

So often last year somebody stood up with the bat to get Yorkshire out of a hole. And it was usually Bairstow.

Yesterday, he was at it again with the help from opener and fellow centurion Adam Lyth before bad light meant the loss of 21 overs.

Both men raised their bats to the 2,300 Headingley crowd either side of tea, which included Lyth’s father Alistair.

They shared a superb 205-run stand inside 44 overs for the fourth-wicket from late morning through to early evening in testing conditions.

Although they made batting look comfortable, Hampshire’s bowlers always had some swing or seam to work with.

Lyth’s 111 from 188 balls included 18 fours. It was his first Championship century since September 2014 and his highest score in any form since a maiden Test century against New Zealand here last May.

Bairstow added 107 unbeaten from 169 balls with 14 fours and a pulled six off left-arm seamer James Tomlinson.

Both men performed well as James Whitaker watched on, although performing in front of the national selector was more important for Lyth given Bairstow’s security in the Test team.

"I heard he was here, but it's just nice to get runs whoever comes to watch,” said Lyth, who offered a caught and bowled chance to Fidel Edwards on 14.

“Obviously it can't do me any harm scoring a good hundred in front of him, and I hope there's more to come.

"We're in a great position. Jonny has played fantastically well. We were in a tricky spot at 40-odd for three, but we played beautifully. I'm really happy.

“Get over 350 and we're in the game. They've bowled slightly too short on this wicket, but that's being over-critical. Early season at Headingley is never easy. You never feel like you're in.

"It was tricky early on, and I was finding it tough. But when Jonny plays three or four good shots, third slip comes out, others move out and the scoreboard keeps rolling. That helps me.”

Both Lyth and Bairstow dominated half a session each during the afternoon. Bairstow attacked just after lunch before Lyth became the aggressor as tea approached.

If Lyth continues this type of form, he could quite easily find himself back at the top of England’s Test order this summer alongside Alistair Cook.

But he faces competition. Alex Hales is the current incumbent, while Sam Robson, who opened with Lyth against the Kiwis, scored 175 not out for Middlesex against Warwickshire yesterday.

After a 30-minute delay due to a wet outfield and James Vince’s decision to bowl, Lyth drove the first ball of the match off Edwards through the covers.

He also left well before being trapped lbw by Sean Ervine after tea.

Alex Lees was first to go, caught at third slip off Tomlinson. Gary Ballance was caught behind trying to leave Chris Wood before Andrew Gale was caught behind down leg off Ryan McLaren. Jack Leaning later edge Wood behind.