Day one at Scarborough brought a bowling performance that put Yorkshire's title chase back into gear after months in neutral and a couple weeks in reverse.
Matthew Hoggard led the way decapitating the top order allowing the two youngsters, Bresnan and Shahzad, to cause middle order mayhem. Even McGrath got in on the act before Hoggard put Warwickshire out of their misery with a final burst.
It would be interesting to know whether Gillespie would have had as much success on this wicket, or whether his temporary departure has in some way contributed to today's performance. Certainly Shahzad did himself no harm with his performance. Two more confidence boosting wickets and another glimpse at what he could become.
It was also good of McGrath to join the wicket taking party. He's been the forgotten bowler this season having been underused, but his contribution as a partnership breaker was evident today, his wickets coming early on in both spells.
With Gale and Vaughan remaining at the crease until the premature close it was a day free of negatives. Should the pace unit recreate this effect against Sussex and Hampshire, Yorkshire will be back in with a chance of nicking the title. And if the rain, which has dogged Yorkshire's matches this season, continues to keep Surrey and Sussex kicking their heels at the Oval, a victory at North Marine Road will make the Division 1 table a more pleasant read for Yorkshire fans.
What makes today's bowling performance even more pleasing is that neither Gough nor Rashid took a single wicket. Gough was due an innings off having carried the attack all season and the young leg spinner was not required. No doubt both will be keen to assist in a second innings demolition expected to commence by lunchtime on Friday.
Wednesday 22 August 2007
Tuesday 21 August 2007
What do we need? Wickets! When do we need them? Now!
As suggested earlier wickets are what Yorkshire need in order to win the title and something they've so far failed to accrue in significant quantity since Matthew Hoggard left for Test duty.
With this in mind Yorkshire have moved to replace the economical pace bowling of Jason Gillespie with the leg-spin of Imran Tahir plucked from League Cricket obscurity for the Championship run-in.
After lots of head scratching and some indignation the signing of Tahir begins to make a little more sense. With Sussex almost certainly creating a spinners paradise for the Mushtaq's (Ahmed and Saqlain) playing two or three spinners is a distinct possibility. With Mark Lawson out for 'personal reasons' it leaves the promising finger spin of David Wainwright as the only option to accompany Adil Rashid. Bringing in an experienced, in-form, leg spinner seems reasonable.
Despite him excelling at limited overs cricket, Gough and Moxon have decided Wainwright is not yet ready for the step up to four day, title-deciding, cricket. The coach and captain still have faith in the slow left armer, shown by him bowling at the death against Glamorgan in the Pro40. Wainwright must know he has bright future at Yorkshire. He's emerged from the shadows and has made great progress in one season. Once Rashid gets snapped up by England, Wainwright could be Yorkshire's first choice spinner in all forms of the game.
However it's the pace bowling that needs serious attention. If sources are to be believed Kruis has been offered a contract for 2008 and Bresnan, Gough and Hoggard will all still be on board. Should the county's overseas player be a fast bowler of genuine wicket taking ability, on paper, that quintet of quicks could be adequate.
However Gough has already started to bowl shorter spells and may not be able to play such a substantial season in 2008. Kruis has been plagued by injury and lacked the fire of previous years. Hoggard will probably be only partially available and Bresnan blows hot and cold. Shahzad and Pyrah have shown promise but are they good enough to be relied upon? If Yorkshire suffer injuries like 2006 the attack would begin to look less than healthy. The bowlers seem to be either ageing pro's on the wane or raw, young quicks not yet ready to carry the bowling.
Therefore, if Shahzad fails to have a destructive finish to the season, the Yorkshire hierarchy could look to bring in either an English, or controversially a Kolpak, pace bowler of quality. They are out there. Durham have a plethora of quick bowling talent, of which Moxon will be familiar, a reasonable chunk of which have missed first team games this season. Graeme Onions, Mark Davies, Stuart Broad and a rejuvenated Steve Kirby would all consider moves to Yorkshire.
An attack led by two new strike bowlers, supported rather than carried, by Gough, Bresnan, Kruis and Shazhad would provide a more rounded quick bowling unit, offering genuine depth and better able to respond to injury and loss of form.
Some committed Yorkshire supporters will be horrified by the thought of bringing in the required players from beyond the borders of the Broad Acres. This view is an honourable one however if Yorkshire's bowling resources need improving and the required quality is not to be found in the Second XI, 'outsiders' must be considered.
Whatever occurs in the off-season Yorkshire's pulling power would be considerably increased with a Championship title to point at. Whether Tahir can help secure this time will tell. In the meantime the usual suspects will have to try and find wickets on a Scarborough pitch likely to be full of runs.
With this in mind Yorkshire have moved to replace the economical pace bowling of Jason Gillespie with the leg-spin of Imran Tahir plucked from League Cricket obscurity for the Championship run-in.
After lots of head scratching and some indignation the signing of Tahir begins to make a little more sense. With Sussex almost certainly creating a spinners paradise for the Mushtaq's (Ahmed and Saqlain) playing two or three spinners is a distinct possibility. With Mark Lawson out for 'personal reasons' it leaves the promising finger spin of David Wainwright as the only option to accompany Adil Rashid. Bringing in an experienced, in-form, leg spinner seems reasonable.
Despite him excelling at limited overs cricket, Gough and Moxon have decided Wainwright is not yet ready for the step up to four day, title-deciding, cricket. The coach and captain still have faith in the slow left armer, shown by him bowling at the death against Glamorgan in the Pro40. Wainwright must know he has bright future at Yorkshire. He's emerged from the shadows and has made great progress in one season. Once Rashid gets snapped up by England, Wainwright could be Yorkshire's first choice spinner in all forms of the game.
However it's the pace bowling that needs serious attention. If sources are to be believed Kruis has been offered a contract for 2008 and Bresnan, Gough and Hoggard will all still be on board. Should the county's overseas player be a fast bowler of genuine wicket taking ability, on paper, that quintet of quicks could be adequate.
However Gough has already started to bowl shorter spells and may not be able to play such a substantial season in 2008. Kruis has been plagued by injury and lacked the fire of previous years. Hoggard will probably be only partially available and Bresnan blows hot and cold. Shahzad and Pyrah have shown promise but are they good enough to be relied upon? If Yorkshire suffer injuries like 2006 the attack would begin to look less than healthy. The bowlers seem to be either ageing pro's on the wane or raw, young quicks not yet ready to carry the bowling.
Therefore, if Shahzad fails to have a destructive finish to the season, the Yorkshire hierarchy could look to bring in either an English, or controversially a Kolpak, pace bowler of quality. They are out there. Durham have a plethora of quick bowling talent, of which Moxon will be familiar, a reasonable chunk of which have missed first team games this season. Graeme Onions, Mark Davies, Stuart Broad and a rejuvenated Steve Kirby would all consider moves to Yorkshire.
An attack led by two new strike bowlers, supported rather than carried, by Gough, Bresnan, Kruis and Shazhad would provide a more rounded quick bowling unit, offering genuine depth and better able to respond to injury and loss of form.
Some committed Yorkshire supporters will be horrified by the thought of bringing in the required players from beyond the borders of the Broad Acres. This view is an honourable one however if Yorkshire's bowling resources need improving and the required quality is not to be found in the Second XI, 'outsiders' must be considered.
Whatever occurs in the off-season Yorkshire's pulling power would be considerably increased with a Championship title to point at. Whether Tahir can help secure this time will tell. In the meantime the usual suspects will have to try and find wickets on a Scarborough pitch likely to be full of runs.
Sunday 19 August 2007
Maybe we were hiding behind the clouds after all.
So the wheels seem to have come off Yorkshire's fine season with back to back defeats against a good Lancashire side and bottom of the table Worcestershire. The weather has certainly given Sussex the chance to win the title, but they still have to grasp the opportunity and win matches, something Yorkshire have failed to do recently. Blaming the weather doesn't hold water if you get beat.
At least the equation for Yorkshire is now straightforward. Gough and his cohorts most likely need to win their three remaining matches. Warwickshire blow hot and cold, Sussex are top and Hampshire are the form team of the Division. However with Hoggard, Vaughan and Inzi in the team, on paper we should be able to compete.
Alas cricket is not played on paper. Gillespie should tear county batting line ups to shreds, yet he doesn't. Younus Khan, despite two matches of brilliance, has not had the consistent match winning effect that was hoped for. Bresnan, a player with all the attributes to succeed, has rarely bowled match turning spells. Yet Pyrah and Wainwright have come through and done well when given the chance.
Is it now time to give these youngsters a run out? Pyrah, after spending a few years on the fringe, has now begun to really shine in limited overs cricket. Wainwright has burst from nowhere and has already nudged ahead of Lawson in the pecking order. His lower order batting shows promise and he offers Gough some control with his bowling, something Rashid seems to have lost this season. Poor old Lawson has really gone off the boil. His season never really got started. Out of the team on early season pitches, the rain then disrupted the mid summer fixtures and now his form seems to have deserted him. A loan spell would do him good, or a winter tour down-under.
Still, there is still hope. Vaughan's return should shore up the opening partnership. Inzi may offer more consistency than his countryman. Rashid has finally begun show his all round capabilities. Brophy is still churning out runs and Mags, after slowly moving through the gears, is up to full power.
However wickets will be needed. Sixty of them.
At least the equation for Yorkshire is now straightforward. Gough and his cohorts most likely need to win their three remaining matches. Warwickshire blow hot and cold, Sussex are top and Hampshire are the form team of the Division. However with Hoggard, Vaughan and Inzi in the team, on paper we should be able to compete.
Alas cricket is not played on paper. Gillespie should tear county batting line ups to shreds, yet he doesn't. Younus Khan, despite two matches of brilliance, has not had the consistent match winning effect that was hoped for. Bresnan, a player with all the attributes to succeed, has rarely bowled match turning spells. Yet Pyrah and Wainwright have come through and done well when given the chance.
Is it now time to give these youngsters a run out? Pyrah, after spending a few years on the fringe, has now begun to really shine in limited overs cricket. Wainwright has burst from nowhere and has already nudged ahead of Lawson in the pecking order. His lower order batting shows promise and he offers Gough some control with his bowling, something Rashid seems to have lost this season. Poor old Lawson has really gone off the boil. His season never really got started. Out of the team on early season pitches, the rain then disrupted the mid summer fixtures and now his form seems to have deserted him. A loan spell would do him good, or a winter tour down-under.
Still, there is still hope. Vaughan's return should shore up the opening partnership. Inzi may offer more consistency than his countryman. Rashid has finally begun show his all round capabilities. Brophy is still churning out runs and Mags, after slowly moving through the gears, is up to full power.
However wickets will be needed. Sixty of them.
The return of The Yorker.
Apologies for my extended disappearance. I've been away from home on work at the Times having lots of late evenings and early starts. In the busyness I've neglected The Yorker, but now I'm back and look forward to finishing the season strongly. Let's hope a certain county cricket team do likewise.
Wednesday 1 August 2007
Hiding behind the clouds.
After Yorkshire's early season form catapulted them to the top of the Championship table fans of the White Rose were looking forward to watching the county get more wins under their belt. However the rains have curtailed almost all of their matches since the opening salvo which saw Yorkshire win 3 of their opening 4 games.
Worrying though is the thought that the rain has actually helped Yorkshire preserve their top spot rather than halt its charge to the title. Yorkshire's three wins have come against the bottom two side in the Division, the hapless Worcestershire and a Surrey team without the prolific Nicholson and dangerous Harbhajan. The other win was against Durham. All three were based on brilliant bowling performances by Matthew Hoggard.
Without the England seamer Yorkshire have failed to take 20 wickets in a match, in part certainly due to the weather. However the defeat by Durham, just before the rains came and washed out most of June and July, showed Yorkshire had weaknesses and could be defeated, pretty easily as it turned out.
Then came a series of tough games against Sussex, Lancashire, Warwickshire and an improved Surrey. All these games were washed out draws. Is it possible that the rain actually saved Yorkshire from a string of defeats against their table topping rivals just at a time when without Hoggard they were beginning to struggle and had suffered their first loss?
Now with the England fixture list releasing Hoggard and Michael Vaughan for the run in has the rain frozen the Division 1 table in time for our England players to return and complete a Championship win?
Let's hope so.
Worrying though is the thought that the rain has actually helped Yorkshire preserve their top spot rather than halt its charge to the title. Yorkshire's three wins have come against the bottom two side in the Division, the hapless Worcestershire and a Surrey team without the prolific Nicholson and dangerous Harbhajan. The other win was against Durham. All three were based on brilliant bowling performances by Matthew Hoggard.
Without the England seamer Yorkshire have failed to take 20 wickets in a match, in part certainly due to the weather. However the defeat by Durham, just before the rains came and washed out most of June and July, showed Yorkshire had weaknesses and could be defeated, pretty easily as it turned out.
Then came a series of tough games against Sussex, Lancashire, Warwickshire and an improved Surrey. All these games were washed out draws. Is it possible that the rain actually saved Yorkshire from a string of defeats against their table topping rivals just at a time when without Hoggard they were beginning to struggle and had suffered their first loss?
Now with the England fixture list releasing Hoggard and Michael Vaughan for the run in has the rain frozen the Division 1 table in time for our England players to return and complete a Championship win?
Let's hope so.
Thursday 12 July 2007
Second Eleven ready to step up.
With the selection of Adil Rashid and Tim Bresnan for the England Lions team and the imminent departure of Michael Vaughan and Matthew Hoggard there will soon be opportunities for the county's second eleven players.
The LV County Championship game against Warwickshire has seen Mark Lawson's first call up, Simon Guy has stepped in to replace Gerrard Brophy and Richard Pyrah has also been included in the 13 man squad.
So The Yorker decided to investigate how these, and other, second string players have been performing so far this season in the Second Eleven Championship.
After Mark Lawson's prolific partnership with Adil Rashid last season ensured Yorkshire would have the chance to compete for the 2007 Division 1 title, first team opportunities have been thin on the ground. The wet weather and good form of Yorkshire's pace attack has left little room for a second spinner alongside all-rounder Rashid.
Lawson may not have bowled any first team overs but he has sent down more second eleven deliveries, 564, than all other bowlers except Nick Thornicroft. The young leg spinner has taken six wickets as a pricey average of 68.50. However the damp conditions have not been ideal and no doubt some improved weather will produce more turn and bounce.
Lawson's fellow spinner, and Yorkshire's Twenty20 Cup hero, David Wainwright has faced similar problems in the Second Eleven Championship taking only five wickets at an average of 53.20 from 414 balls. What stands out about Wainwright's figures is his batting average of 39 from three innings, which include no not outs and a top score of 80. This compares favourably with Lawson who has batted with an average of 23 from seven innings including two not outs. Clearly both have some ability in this area and may yet develop into handy batsmen as well as quality bowlers.
Another player involved in Yorkshire's survival season but currently plying his trade outside the first team is Simon Guy. Despite the disappointment of playing second fiddle to Gerrard Brophy the enthusiastic Guy has applied himself and currently has a healthy batting average of 83.66 from four innings one of which was undefeated. His top score of 121 suggests he could well contribute vital runs against Warwickshire.
The third wicket keeper, England under-19 captain, Greg Wood has also played consistently for the second string notching up an average of 43.66 with a century and three 50s from nine innings. Should one of Brophy or Guy not be retained for 2008 Wood will be next in line.
Of the young batsmen waiting in the wings the next up is Andrew Gale. The Dewsbury born left-hander has been patiently compiling an average of 65.20 this year and contributed well in the Twenty20 Cup. Next season the single overseas player rule means that Younus Khan may not be with the county. With Craig White not getting any younger Gale could well be given the chance to cement himself as the young up and coming batsman in a line up surrounded by White, Jacques Rudolph, Anthony McGrath, Michael Vaughan and Joe Sayers.
The forgotten man of Yorkshire is Matthew Wood. The former vice captain has lost out in his duel with Joe Sayers who has made the opening position his own with some fine innings. Wood, a popular player in the dressing room, is the second eleven's highest run scorer with 393 runs at an average of 43.66. Should any injuries befall Yorkshire's stellar batting line up Wood can realistically hope for some first team action. However one fears he may have to move counties to get a regular first team spot, something many Yorkshire fans would be sad to see.
Of the pace bowlers Nick Thornicroft stands out with 12 wickets but each one has cost 40 runs something which may have contributed to him falling behind Ajmal Shahzad in the pecking order for Championship selection and the all rounders Richard Pyrah and Chris Gilbert in the one dayers.
Shahzad has taken nine wickets at 32 and performed well against Durham and Sussex for the first team. Pyrah's figures of eight wickets at 19 suggests he could well be ready for a first team call up and his solid batting and superb fielding has seen him already feature in the Friends Provident Trophy and Twenty20 Cup. Fellow all rounder Chris Gilbert showed how explosive his batting can be in the Twenty20 but his second eleven bowling has recouped only three wickets at 96. Both Pyrah and Gilbert could be given Pro40 games in which to show what they can do. The latest pacemen to come off the Yorkshire conveyor belt is Oliver Hannon-Dalby. The tall right arm quick has taken 7 wickets at 22 including a devastating 6 for 32 showing that on his day he can be as good as any of Yorkshire's up and coming bowlers.
As Yorkshire gun for the 2007 County Championship it will be interesting to see which of these young hopefuls get the chance to carry the county's future hopes in 2008 and beyond.
The LV County Championship game against Warwickshire has seen Mark Lawson's first call up, Simon Guy has stepped in to replace Gerrard Brophy and Richard Pyrah has also been included in the 13 man squad.
So The Yorker decided to investigate how these, and other, second string players have been performing so far this season in the Second Eleven Championship.
After Mark Lawson's prolific partnership with Adil Rashid last season ensured Yorkshire would have the chance to compete for the 2007 Division 1 title, first team opportunities have been thin on the ground. The wet weather and good form of Yorkshire's pace attack has left little room for a second spinner alongside all-rounder Rashid.
Lawson may not have bowled any first team overs but he has sent down more second eleven deliveries, 564, than all other bowlers except Nick Thornicroft. The young leg spinner has taken six wickets as a pricey average of 68.50. However the damp conditions have not been ideal and no doubt some improved weather will produce more turn and bounce.
Lawson's fellow spinner, and Yorkshire's Twenty20 Cup hero, David Wainwright has faced similar problems in the Second Eleven Championship taking only five wickets at an average of 53.20 from 414 balls. What stands out about Wainwright's figures is his batting average of 39 from three innings, which include no not outs and a top score of 80. This compares favourably with Lawson who has batted with an average of 23 from seven innings including two not outs. Clearly both have some ability in this area and may yet develop into handy batsmen as well as quality bowlers.
Another player involved in Yorkshire's survival season but currently plying his trade outside the first team is Simon Guy. Despite the disappointment of playing second fiddle to Gerrard Brophy the enthusiastic Guy has applied himself and currently has a healthy batting average of 83.66 from four innings one of which was undefeated. His top score of 121 suggests he could well contribute vital runs against Warwickshire.
The third wicket keeper, England under-19 captain, Greg Wood has also played consistently for the second string notching up an average of 43.66 with a century and three 50s from nine innings. Should one of Brophy or Guy not be retained for 2008 Wood will be next in line.
Of the young batsmen waiting in the wings the next up is Andrew Gale. The Dewsbury born left-hander has been patiently compiling an average of 65.20 this year and contributed well in the Twenty20 Cup. Next season the single overseas player rule means that Younus Khan may not be with the county. With Craig White not getting any younger Gale could well be given the chance to cement himself as the young up and coming batsman in a line up surrounded by White, Jacques Rudolph, Anthony McGrath, Michael Vaughan and Joe Sayers.
The forgotten man of Yorkshire is Matthew Wood. The former vice captain has lost out in his duel with Joe Sayers who has made the opening position his own with some fine innings. Wood, a popular player in the dressing room, is the second eleven's highest run scorer with 393 runs at an average of 43.66. Should any injuries befall Yorkshire's stellar batting line up Wood can realistically hope for some first team action. However one fears he may have to move counties to get a regular first team spot, something many Yorkshire fans would be sad to see.
Of the pace bowlers Nick Thornicroft stands out with 12 wickets but each one has cost 40 runs something which may have contributed to him falling behind Ajmal Shahzad in the pecking order for Championship selection and the all rounders Richard Pyrah and Chris Gilbert in the one dayers.
Shahzad has taken nine wickets at 32 and performed well against Durham and Sussex for the first team. Pyrah's figures of eight wickets at 19 suggests he could well be ready for a first team call up and his solid batting and superb fielding has seen him already feature in the Friends Provident Trophy and Twenty20 Cup. Fellow all rounder Chris Gilbert showed how explosive his batting can be in the Twenty20 but his second eleven bowling has recouped only three wickets at 96. Both Pyrah and Gilbert could be given Pro40 games in which to show what they can do. The latest pacemen to come off the Yorkshire conveyor belt is Oliver Hannon-Dalby. The tall right arm quick has taken 7 wickets at 22 including a devastating 6 for 32 showing that on his day he can be as good as any of Yorkshire's up and coming bowlers.
As Yorkshire gun for the 2007 County Championship it will be interesting to see which of these young hopefuls get the chance to carry the county's future hopes in 2008 and beyond.
Friday 6 July 2007
Phoenix rise from the ashes.
After Yorkshire's start to the 2007 Twenty20 Cup, progression to the knock-out phase looked as bleak as the June weather.
However a remarkable second half saw the White Rose rack up four successive victories to knock holders Leicestershire out of the competition and claim a quarter final berth.
The Foxes put Yorkshire to the sword in the opening Twenty20 match in front of the Sky cameras but after some terrible weather they found their campaign fizzle out with their showdown match against Lancashire abandoned before a ball was bowled.
Yorkshire can now look forward to a quarter final match against County Champions Sussex and can take great heart from some gutsy performances to come back from the dead in the most lucrative of county cricket competitions.
The Yorkshire coffers will no doubt benefit from further Twenty20 action and Yorkshire fans will be hoping the tie will be picked to be shown live on Sky. With the respective Championship positions of both Yorkshire and Sussex and the Chris Adams saga of the winter the outlook is bright for the match to be televised.
Another benefit to come from the Twenty20 success is that it gives the younger players such as Andrew Gale, Chris Gilbert, Richard Pyrah and David Wainwright further first team action, something that may not be possible in the Championship such is the depth of quality batting and bowling at Yorkshire's disposal.
Yorkshire can also now take some winning momentum into a flurry of 4-day Championship games starting off with the Roses match at Old Trafford.
All in all, a successful Twenty20 competition for Yorkshire, who despite not playing the best cricket in the competition will be keen to give a good account of themselves at Hove in the next round.
However a remarkable second half saw the White Rose rack up four successive victories to knock holders Leicestershire out of the competition and claim a quarter final berth.
The Foxes put Yorkshire to the sword in the opening Twenty20 match in front of the Sky cameras but after some terrible weather they found their campaign fizzle out with their showdown match against Lancashire abandoned before a ball was bowled.
Yorkshire can now look forward to a quarter final match against County Champions Sussex and can take great heart from some gutsy performances to come back from the dead in the most lucrative of county cricket competitions.
The Yorkshire coffers will no doubt benefit from further Twenty20 action and Yorkshire fans will be hoping the tie will be picked to be shown live on Sky. With the respective Championship positions of both Yorkshire and Sussex and the Chris Adams saga of the winter the outlook is bright for the match to be televised.
Another benefit to come from the Twenty20 success is that it gives the younger players such as Andrew Gale, Chris Gilbert, Richard Pyrah and David Wainwright further first team action, something that may not be possible in the Championship such is the depth of quality batting and bowling at Yorkshire's disposal.
Yorkshire can also now take some winning momentum into a flurry of 4-day Championship games starting off with the Roses match at Old Trafford.
All in all, a successful Twenty20 competition for Yorkshire, who despite not playing the best cricket in the competition will be keen to give a good account of themselves at Hove in the next round.
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