Ben Coad realistic about England ambitions as Yorkshire CCC star nears 300-wicket milestone

Notwithstanding the excellence of his rivals, the answer can only be that Coad operates at something less than the high pace some believe needed for international cricket.

It is an understandable, if somewhat unimaginative philosophy, a one-size-fits-all solution that overlooks the requirement for skill as well as for speed.

As he nears the end of another outstanding season, one which has brought him 52 wickets at 16.03, the joint-most in the County Championship Second Division along with Middlesex’s Toby Roland-Jones, whose wickets cost six runs more, Coad is philosophical about the England situation.

Asked whether he still harbours hopes of playing at the highest level, the 30-year-old tells The Yorkshire Post: “It’s obviously what I want to do. It does feel a bit hard with the way that they’re selecting, and the way that they’re going with the game for England, but all I can do is try and get as many wickets as possible and see what they do.

“They’re obviously prioritising pace over everything else; that’s fine. That’s where they want to go. They’re playing obviously some great cricket, England. But I still think there’s room for the likes of myself and Cook (Sam Cook, of Essex).

“In my eyes, there are bowlers who can do it who don’t bowl 85-90mph who do really well at Test cricket. It’s just something that I have to focus on, getting wickets here. I can’t control that.

“I’ve spoken to people in the past about it. It’s something I can take on the chin and I love playing for Yorkshire, so as long as I’m getting wickets here, I’m happy.

“It’s obviously frustrating, because all I want to do is play for England, play at the highest level, but, like I say, I can’t control that.”

It is striking that, statistically, Coad has never had a bad season. Some have been injury-hit - not least last year, when he had knee problems, but his figures warrant some contemplation.

In 2017, his first full season, Coad took 53 first-class wickets at 20.39. In 2018, it was 48 at 16.33. In 2019… 42 at 24.11. In 2020… 12 at 7.25. In 2021… 35 at 21.88. In 2022… 18 at 19.94. In 2023… 36 at 20.22.

And now this year’s haul, which sends him into the final game of the season, against Northamptonshire at Headingley, starting on Thursday, needing two more wickets for his most prolific campaign in terms of wickets and also to reach that milestone of 300 first-class wickets. It all adds up to the sense of this being one of the best players never to have been capped, one still young enough, potentially, for that picture to change.

Given his figures, and the season he has had, does Coad feel in the prime of his career?

“It’s hard to say. I’d say I probably bowled better those first couple of years, but it’s up there. I feel like I know my game inside out and know what I need to do and know how I need to prepare. It’s just experience, really.

“Last winter was big for me. I had problems with my knee last year, and that was big to sort out, and I felt so fresh this year and I’ve been able to bowl my best the whole year. I feel great, so it’s up there, I think, with the best that I’ve bowled.”

Coad has played a key role in Yorkshire’s surge towards promotion. He has taken 31 wickets in the last five games, with Yorkshire holding a 15-point lead in the second and final promotion place over Middlesex going into this week’s final round, with Middlesex finishing at leaders Sussex.

“We’re in a great position, and hopefully now we can get over the line. We played decent, alright cricket at the start of the year without getting any rewards, but I think we’ve realised, these last few games, that’s actually how well we can play and we deserve the wins that we’ve got and the performances we’ve had.”

Another man who has played an important part lately is Matty Fisher, who has taken 13 wickets since returning to the side for the last two games after injury. Coad’s new ball partner is leaving for champions Surrey at the end of the season.

“It’s very sad to see him go. I obviously understand it, but it’s going to be tough to see him go and play against him. I’m going to miss him.”

As for Coad, he will just “keep on keeping on” for Yorkshire and, who knows, maybe one day for England. Next milestone after the 300th wicket?

“I’m not thinking about that yet. I’d hope to be over 500 wickets in the end, and Patto (Steve Patterson) always challenged me to get more than him.

“I think he got just under 500, so it’s just keep going as long as I can and get as many wickets as I can. That’s all I can do.”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​