Cricket latest: Yorkshire make strong start against champions
The duo put on 146 as the hosts racked up 304 for two against a Durham attack which was again missed Steve Harmison through injury.
It was Yorkshire's highest first-wicket partnership against their opponents and it was just the start that captain Andrew Gale was looking for after winning the toss in ideal batting conditions at Headingley.
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Hide AdLyth made 85 and Sayers 63, before Jacques Rudolph (68 not out) and Anthony McGrath (73no) added an unbroken 131 for the third wicket.
Yorkshire: JJ Sayers, A Lyth, A McGrath, JA Rudolph, AW Gale*, JM Bairstow†, AU Rashid, DJ Wainwright, TL Best, SA Patterson, OJ Hannon-Dalby.
Durham: MJ Di Venuto, KJ Coetzer, WR Smith*, DM Benkenstein, ID Blackwell, BA Stokes, P Mustard†, LE Plunkett, M Davies, SG Borthwick, C Rushworth.
Keep checking the website for updates throughout the day.