Alex Hales was delighted with the rearguard action put together by himself and Jonny Bairstow as England rallied from 83-5 to finish day one on 171-5 against Sri Lanka at Headingley.
"It’s been a challenging day and the way (Jonny) counter-attacked late this afternoon was really good, so the momentum is with us," Hales told Sky Sports after his Test best of 71.
"He said ‘You’re batting on a different wicket to everyone else,’ which was brilliant. It was just what we needed, a good counter-attack, good strong cricket shots, which is exactly how he plays his game. He’s turned himself into a fantastic player.
"It’s been a very important knock, personally. It was a tricky morning, there’s been consistent swing throughout the day and a bit of nibble. I had to adjust my game accordingly and I’m pleased I’ve managed to have done that so far."
Asked what he had worked on since the winter tour of South Africa, Hales said: "I guess in the channel just outside off stump. In South Africa I maybe got caught in two minds whether to attack or defend so when I started training a few weeks ago, an area I’ve paid specific attention to is being a bit more committed to attacking and leaving a bit better. I’m pleased that has paid off so far.
"The thing for me is to be adaptable; as an opener there’s going to be times when do you get off to a good start with field positions and stuff, and times when they bowl well and it’s swinging and seaming. I don’t necessarily think you need to have a specific tempo, you’ve got to be able to adapt to what the bowler is doing."
Was Hales apprehensive that by opting to sit out the first few Specsavers County Championship matches he had left the door ajar for his competitiors to stake a claim?
"It was a difficult decision but I looked at my schedule from the last couple of years, what with Big Bash’s and World Cups and tours away - the winter we had specifically was a real long one," he said.
"I wanted to make sure I turned up this summer with a full tank and I knew if I played that game mid-April I wouldn’t be 100% leading into the summer so I wouldn’t be doing myself any justice. Obviously it was a risk, I knew other openers would score big runs at the start of the year but I don’t regret that decision."
Watch the highlights from day 1