Joe Sayers believes a successful opening partnership is crucial to Yorkshire’s chances in the County Championship.

The left-handed opener made an impressive return to first-team action in the draw against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge last week, scoring 50 and 45.

He will continue his partnership with Adam Lyth at the top of the order against struggling Hampshire at Headingley, starting tomorrow.

Sayers, dropped following the season opener against Worcestershire at New Road, said: “The opening partnership is the bedrock of a successful team, and has been the bedrock of Yorkshire’s success over the last 18 months.

“It was certainly very good for Lythy and myself to have two solid opening partnerships (against Notts).

“I think we complement each other really well in our style of play, and also the shots we can play. We’ve developed a decent relationship at the crease and understand each other well.

“I’ve done all I can to cement my place. It’s my job to be as consistent as possible.

Hopefully I can push on and turn the fifty into a big hundred.”

The draw against Notts provided morale boosters for both Sayers as an individual and the team as a whole after successive four-day defeats against Notts and Durham.

Sayers continued: “We’ve been through some challenges already this summer.

“It’s a pivotal stage of the season coming up in terms of the Championship and the CB40. If we can pick up as many points as we can in May, it will put us in a good position when we come back from the Twenty20.’’ Yorkshire will have to do without Rich Pyrah tomorrow after the in-form all-rounder got his shoe spikes caught in the turf while batting against Kent in the Clydesdale Bank 40 win on Sunday.

He had a scan on his right knee last night, and Yorkshire could find out the extent of the damage today.