England calls handicap Yorkshire title defence
ESPNcricinfo assesses Yorkshire's prospects for 2015
David Hopps
08-Apr-2015
The depth of Yorkshire's squad will be severely tested this season with so many England call-ups • PA Photos
Last season
County Championship: winners; NatWest Blast: 5th, north group; Royal London Cup: quarter-final
County Championship: winners; NatWest Blast: 5th, north group; Royal London Cup: quarter-final
IN:
OUT: Azeem Rafiq (released)
OVERSEAS: Cheteshwar Pujara, Aaron Finch, Kane Williamson, Glenn Maxwell
OUT: Azeem Rafiq (released)
OVERSEAS: Cheteshwar Pujara, Aaron Finch, Kane Williamson, Glenn Maxwell
2014 in a nutshell
Yorkshire's first Championship win for 13 years was not just an uncommonly successful season, it became an assertion of all that was right in Yorkshire cricket. It would be a strange world if Yorkshire responded to success modestly, some might carp, but the praise was universal and made for good reason. Yorkshire's production line of homegrown players, and the pride they displayed in the county, showed county cricket at its best in an era of convenience when too often counties mask shortcomings with short-term Kolpak signings and the public has become dangerously disengaged with county cricket. Not that Kolpaks could be easily discussed in 2014: Andrew Gale did just that in a Roses skirmish with Ashwell Prince and found himself banned by the ECB from lifting the Championship trophy at Trent Bridge.
Yorkshire's first Championship win for 13 years was not just an uncommonly successful season, it became an assertion of all that was right in Yorkshire cricket. It would be a strange world if Yorkshire responded to success modestly, some might carp, but the praise was universal and made for good reason. Yorkshire's production line of homegrown players, and the pride they displayed in the county, showed county cricket at its best in an era of convenience when too often counties mask shortcomings with short-term Kolpak signings and the public has become dangerously disengaged with county cricket. Not that Kolpaks could be easily discussed in 2014: Andrew Gale did just that in a Roses skirmish with Ashwell Prince and found himself banned by the ECB from lifting the Championship trophy at Trent Bridge.
2015 prospects
Six players in the England party to tour the West Indies - a tour scheduled for the first month of the season in another ECB-approved kick in the teeth for county cricket - and the captain, Gale, competing his ban, will be missing for the opening game. It says much for the respect for Yorkshire's strength in depth that with Root, Balance, Lyth, Bairstow, Rashid, Plunkett all missing the question is whether Yorkshire can realistically retain the Championship, not whether they will be threatened by relegation. Glenn Maxwell's IPL deal, too, has been undermined by his call up for an Australia A tour of India in July. That Yorkshire's academy players will be severely tested can be taken for granted.
Six players in the England party to tour the West Indies - a tour scheduled for the first month of the season in another ECB-approved kick in the teeth for county cricket - and the captain, Gale, competing his ban, will be missing for the opening game. It says much for the respect for Yorkshire's strength in depth that with Root, Balance, Lyth, Bairstow, Rashid, Plunkett all missing the question is whether Yorkshire can realistically retain the Championship, not whether they will be threatened by relegation. Glenn Maxwell's IPL deal, too, has been undermined by his call up for an Australia A tour of India in July. That Yorkshire's academy players will be severely tested can be taken for granted.
Power brokers
Andrew Gale is a straightforward captain with a pride in the White Rose cap and he is not the first Yorkshire cricketer to come into conflict with mealy-mouthed judges at the ECB. Martyn Moxon, Yorkshire's director of cricket, is a gentle man of good principles who has overseen successful player development first at Durham and now at Yorkshire. Jason Gillespie, just like Darren Lehmann before him, takes Yorkshire ambition and adds Australian optimism, translating the date available to him into a few wise words every now and then.
Andrew Gale is a straightforward captain with a pride in the White Rose cap and he is not the first Yorkshire cricketer to come into conflict with mealy-mouthed judges at the ECB. Martyn Moxon, Yorkshire's director of cricket, is a gentle man of good principles who has overseen successful player development first at Durham and now at Yorkshire. Jason Gillespie, just like Darren Lehmann before him, takes Yorkshire ambition and adds Australian optimism, translating the date available to him into a few wise words every now and then.
Key player
Yorkshire's best chance of a trophy this year lies in the NatWest Blast - a competition where they have flattered to deceive - this on the assumption that England will still not be laying claim to half-a-dozen players come the home international season. That requires Aaron Finch, one of the less successful Australians during their World Cup triumph, to set the tone and attract large Friday night crowds to Headingley that will benefit from floodlit cricket and later start times.
Yorkshire's best chance of a trophy this year lies in the NatWest Blast - a competition where they have flattered to deceive - this on the assumption that England will still not be laying claim to half-a-dozen players come the home international season. That requires Aaron Finch, one of the less successful Australians during their World Cup triumph, to set the tone and attract large Friday night crowds to Headingley that will benefit from floodlit cricket and later start times.
Bright young thing
Will Rhodes, a former England Under-19 captain, with a name that resonates with Yorkshire's great heritage, could be the one to find most benefit in the absence of Yorkshire's Caribbean contingent. A left-handed batsman and medium-paced bowler, Rhodes was given a first-class debut against MCC in Abu Dhabi and a restrained first-innings half century will have increased the temptation for Yorkshire to throw him straight into the top of the order in place of Adam Lyth.
Will Rhodes, a former England Under-19 captain, with a name that resonates with Yorkshire's great heritage, could be the one to find most benefit in the absence of Yorkshire's Caribbean contingent. A left-handed batsman and medium-paced bowler, Rhodes was given a first-class debut against MCC in Abu Dhabi and a restrained first-innings half century will have increased the temptation for Yorkshire to throw him straight into the top of the order in place of Adam Lyth.
ESPNcricinfo verdict
This Yorkshire revival is for real, with a successful Academy based on the eternal verities, but that does not disguise the considerable challenge that lies ahead if England's calls on their best players last all summer. Yorkshire have been known to philosophise over whether their role is to produce England players or win trophies. The answer is both, but the former is more likely in 2015. At least ECB compensation will help manage the £22m debts, particularly vital now the ex-chairman and benefactor Colin Graves turns his attention to the ECB, but it is a full Headingley for T20 and the May Bank Holiday Test against New Zealand that the county most needs.
This Yorkshire revival is for real, with a successful Academy based on the eternal verities, but that does not disguise the considerable challenge that lies ahead if England's calls on their best players last all summer. Yorkshire have been known to philosophise over whether their role is to produce England players or win trophies. The answer is both, but the former is more likely in 2015. At least ECB compensation will help manage the £22m debts, particularly vital now the ex-chairman and benefactor Colin Graves turns his attention to the ECB, but it is a full Headingley for T20 and the May Bank Holiday Test against New Zealand that the county most needs.
Bet365 odds: LV=Championship 3-1; NatWest Blast 15-2; Royal London Cup 13-2
David Hopps is the UK editor of ESPNcricinfo @davidkhopps