Memorable summer ends on high for England stars

To say that the two Yorkshire and England batsmen have had outstanding summers is an understatement.

Root scored 777 runs in the seven Test matches against Sri Lanka and India at 97.12, while Ballance hit 704 at 70.4.

Clearly, those are special statistics by special players.

But to top off what Carlsberg would doubtless call “the best cricket season in the world” by winning the County Championship with Yorkshire just makes it ridiculously satisfying for the talented pair.

Released to play in what turned out to be the title-clinching game against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, following their excellent performances for England, they were there at the end just as they had been there at the start before the beginning of the international summer.

Root, acting captain at Trent Bridge in place of the suspended Andrew Gale, did a splendid job of leading team-mates whom he generously said “captained themselves”.

Ballance, who made a key contribution of 99 to Yorkshire’s first innings total of 532-9 declared, also handled himself with customary aplomb, with both men unable to conceal their delight in what winning the County Championship meant to them and the team as a whole.

Root, who displayed all the qualities of an England captain-in-waiting in the mature and measured way he spoke after the match, said: “It’s obviously very special.

“To be fair, the lads have deserved it because they have played exceptionally well this year in all departments.

“We all knew what we had to do coming into this game (against Nottinghamshire) and we all made sure we stood up and did it.

“To be a part of that is just fantastic.”

Root, 23, was left to captain as he saw fit with Gale and the coaching staff led by Martyn Moxon and Jason Gillespie supporting him from the sidelines.

He praised that trio’s huge contribution to Yorkshire’s success.

“Martyn and Jason have been massive for us,” said Root. “They’ve put in some great work, made some very good signings along the way, and, hopefully, we can build on this going forward now.

“It’s credit to Galey that the way he has captained the side all season made it very easy for me (at Trent Bridge). The guys put in some great performances with bat and ball, which meant that they captained themselves.”

Root’s performances for England this summer showed great strength of character after a challenging Ashes tour.

He was desperate to help his county team over the line.

“Obviously with the position we were in I was desperate to play, and it was great to be involved on a personal level,” he said. “It was a great way to finish the international summer with England, and now it’s a very special finish to the county season as well.”

Ballance, 24, echoed Root’s comments.

The left-hander has been an integral part of Yorkshire’s progress for several years now and takes enormous pride in representing the White Rose.

“I love playing for Yorkshire and I love playing at Headingley,” said Ballance. “There’s such an illustrious history at the club, and it’s an honour to be a part of that.

“I know that every Yorkshireman and woman will be very proud of what the lads have done, and rightly so.

“I can’t describe what it means to me personally; it’s just very, very special not only for myself, but also for the team as a whole.”

Ballance said Yorkshire’s Championship win had been a genuine squad effort.

And, like Root, he believes it could be the start of something special.

“Hopefully, it can trigger a sustained run of success going forward,” he added. “There’s no reason why we can’t do that.

“The bowlers are in their prime, the batters are scoring runs, and young guys like Jack Leaning have come in and done brilliantly. But this has been a whole squad effort from day one.”

Prior to this season, Ballance had played only one Test – the final match of the Ashes tour.

What has happened since must seem to him like a fairytale.

“I never thought it would happen,” he admitted. “Personally, it’s been great.

“To be able to score runs and do well for England is amazing.

“But to win a trophy with Yorkshire, where I’ve played for the Academy and had five or six great years going through the second team and the first team, is simply fantastic.”