Champions - Video: Understanding the blueprint for Yorkshire’s success

The question was asked several times of coaches Martyn Moxon and Jason Gillespie after Yorkshire clinched the title last month.

It some ways, the question was difficult to answer, inviting implied criticism of rival clubs.

But after a summer in which Yorkshire won more games than any other side since the move to two divisions, achieved record points and finished 68 points clear of the chasing field, it is also one that has to be posed.

Donning their best diplomatic hats, Messrs Moxon and Gillespie answered as follows.

Download our souvenir poster of Yorkshire’s magnificent season in numbers

“I definitely think there’s a lot of good work being done throughout the country,” said Moxon.

“In the First Division of the County Championship, there’s some quality cricket played.

“Every game is a tough one, and you’ve got to earn the right to win it, and really work hard to win games.

“There’s a lot of teams with very good players.”

Gillespie commented: “That’s for other sides to worry about, really.

“All we can focus on is what we do.

“Our goal is just to be the best we can be. How can we be better? We speak after each day’s play and ask ourselves that.

“We’re very specific about it, and the lads are really honest with it.

“We don’t rest on our laurels, we respect the game, and we just want to keep striving to be the best we can.”

Perhaps the question that should be posed is: What are Yorkshire doing so right at the present moment?

Indeed, it could be argued that their dominance is unhealthy for the competition as a whole, and clubs can learn a great deal from them.

Moxon is perhaps best qualified to comment on the Yorkshire template, having done much to create it since returning to the club in 2007.

Ever since then, his mantra has been clear.

“The challenge is always to win now and develop for the future,” he said.

“Every captain and coach is under pressure to win, and you’ve got to get that balance right.

“We’ve had a few barren times over the years, but now we’re starting to get sustained success.

“First and foremost, it’s down to the players, and then, with the support staff, we’ve managed to create an environment that’s very focused and relaxed.”

Moxon credits much of that to first-team coach Gillespie, who has lost only four of his 64 Championship games in charge.

The former Australia fast bowler has brought a winning mentality and built on foundations created by Moxon.

“Dizzy is a very laid-back character, but, at the same time, he expects very high standards,” said director of cricket Moxon.

“His record at Yorkshire is quite remarkable.

“Dizzy has been fantastic for us, and I’m sure he’d be the first to agree that just as it’s a team effort on the field, it’s a team effort off the field too.

“All the support staff have played their part.”

When asked about his remarkable track record at Yorkshire, Gillespie praises those around him.

“It’s not my record, it’s our record,” he said.

“It’s the club’s record in my opinion.

“The bottom line is that the lads have played some fantastic cricket and, as support staff, we just try to help them as best we can.

“It’s a collective effort by everyone concerned.”

“Everyone” includes those who work with the age-group teams.

Moxon believes Yorkshire’s success is underpinned by that and the work going on behind the scenes.

“I’d like to think that the pathway system we have is working,” he said.

“There’s a lot of hard work at age-group level, and we can’t underestimate the work that the age-group coaches do.

“A lot of them are volunteers, and that’s where the process starts.

“That’s where every cricketer starts, at school level, and the work that’s done at U-11 through to Academy level is vital.”

Moxon continued: “Our Academy has been very strong for a few years now and helped produce players for Yorkshire and England.

“But there’s a lot of people involved in the development of cricketers, and then it’s our job to finish the process, if you like, and hopefully get them good enough to play first-class cricket.

“If the players are good enough, they get a chance.

“Players know that if they perform, they will get a chance of playing first-team cricket for Yorkshire.”

The strength of Yorkshire’s production line was highlighted by the fact they won the title this year despite several players being with England.

For Moxon, it made the triumph all the more special.

“To have provided so many England players this summer and still won the title is a remarkable achievement,” he said.

“Ultimately, that’s the aim of everyone in county cricket – to produce England players and still win trophies.”

So, what are Yorkshire doing that other counties are not doing?

In a nutshell, they are developing high-class cricketers and creating the right environment for them to succeed.

Simples.