After emerging unscathed from the winter months a renewed sense of optimism has filled Headingly Carnegie. Yet despite having the backroom staff in place, a new look batting lineup and Darren Gough back to lead the attack there are still many questions to be answered.
The first is whether Gough and his fellow seamers can perform at a high level whilst remaining free of injury. Yorkshire have four fast bowlers north of 30, of which three have had injury blighted histories - Gillespie, Gough and Kruis. Tim Bresnan is still young and there is a paddock of youthful quicks in the 2nd XI, but should Gough, 36, Kruis, 32, Gillespie, 32 and Hoggard, 30, break down the pace attack could rapidly become inexperienced.
Despite plugging the holes left in the batting lineup, neither Younus Khan nor Jacques Rudolph have played a full season of county cricket. English conditions may take a while to get used to and who knows what effect the World Cup will have had upon the Pakistani vice captain. Not only was Bob Woolmer's death a blow to the 29 year old right hander, he also didn't perform with the bat and was vilified on returning to his cricket-mad home country. However both Rudolph and Younus are of high calibre and the predicted hot summer may suit them.
The opening partnership was a big problem for Yorkshire last season. Craig White had a variety of partners with Joe Sayers eventually edging out Matthew Wood. However Yorkshire did not start innings' well and rarely did both batsmen survive the new ball. The middle order was where most of the runs came from, and it is this which has been largely replaced. White and Sayers will both open this season's first fixture at the Oval and it is hoped a Craig White, free of the burden of captaincy, will prove a more consistent opener. Joe Sayers is developing and has potential but needs to turn this into runs. Should he fail Matthew Wood will be waiting in the wings.
The wicket keeping position has been a difficult one for Yorkshire in the past few years. Simon Guy made his county debut in 2000 but has failed to keep the gloves on a consistent basis. The other 'keeper, South African born, Gerard Brophy was brought in as a wicket-keeper batsmen but never got going with the bat in 2006 and was dropped to the seconds. Despite a 97 against Warwickshire in 2006 he averages only 15. However he did show promise as an opener in the limited overs game. Pinch hitting in a twenty20 match he made the fastest ever half century in the competition; his 57 coming off 18 balls. Brophy will start the season behind the stumps but if neither him nor Guy makes the position their own this must be an area Martyn Moxon and Darren Gough address for 2008.
And what of young Adil Rashid? The spinning all rounder who bowled Yorkshire to safety, along with fellow leggie Mark Lawson, suffered a spinal stress fracture during the winter and has remodelled his action. The worry is what affect this body-saving action will have on his bowling. Despite some good scores for England under-19 Rashid did not impress with the bat in the 5 matches he has played for Yorkshire averaging only 19. He clearly has the ability and developing his batsmanship will be important for him if he is to become the all rounder Yorkshire, and England, so desperately require.
The ageing nature of Yorkshire's squad and newly appointed leadership suggest this will be a season of transition. Kruis, Gillespie, White and Gough may all be in their last season for Yorkshire, especially if they are struck by injury. Martyn Moxon has only had a few weeks to get to grips with his new charges and will be getting to know his squad throughout the season. There is talent in the 2nd's but much of it is raw and unlikely to be ready for full involvement this season. Batsmen Andrew Gale and Adam Lyth, bowlers Ajmal Shazhad, Nick Thornicroft and Steve Patterson, gloveman Greg Wood and all rounder Chris Gilbert have shown signs they could have futures in county cricket. Moxon and Gough's job will be to ensure these young players reach their potential and don't join the exodus of players now plying their trade at rival counties.
On paper Yorkshire have a team ready to compete with the best in the division. The White Rose faithful will be hoping they fulfill this potential on the pitch.
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