Exclusive: Production of young talent likely to last for many years - Collingwood

The 2013 County Championship was decided by a thrilling late run that saw Collingwood’s men win five consecutive matches to pip the long-time leaders.

Included in that sequence was a season-defining triumph at Scarborough in late August that swung the initiative the way of cricket’s youngest county, who went on to clinch top spot with a game to spare.

Adding to the sense of satisfaction among the powers-that-be at the Riverside at claiming a third Championship success was how the nucleus of the title-winning squad had come through the ranks.

For instance, nine of the XI players on duty at North Marine Road had been developed by the club’s Academy.

Yorkshire’s proud record of producing young players is also well established, not least by Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Gary Ballance all being named in this winter’s Ashes squad. Tim Bresnan will also travel Down Under and is hopeful of playing a part if recovered from injury.

The supply line at Headingley shows no sign of drying up, either, with no less than seven players having been named in the England Under-19 and Under-17 winter squads.

Speaking exclusively to the Yorkshire Post in his role as an ambassador for Yorkshire Bank, Durham captain Collingwood said: “I would certainly think that the two teams could keep going together (challenging for honours) for quite a few years.

“Certainly in the Durham team, a lot of the players are young. Real young, in some cases. Hopefully, we can keep them together for the next five to 10 years then that will give the team a real identity. And a real quality, with some class about us.

“Yorkshire, too, have lots of youngsters who can do a job for a long time so it would lead you to think the two counties can do well.

“Of course, in cricket you can never accurately predict the future. Confidence is a big thing. It is crucial for both sides that they keep the quality up and keep performing.

“We know what can happen to teams the year after winning the title. There are no guarantees. But, hopefully, we can keep our feet on the ground and do well again next year. I am sure Yorkshire will be looking to do the same with the talent they have in the squad.”

Collingwood, a veteran of 68 Tests and almost 200 one-day internationals, admits to being immensely proud of how Durham overhauled Yorkshire in the home straight of the County Championship race.

“Scarborough was huge,” said the 37-year-old when asked about a seven-wicket triumph in August that left Durham 5.5 points behind Yorkshire with a game in hand.

“We’d always known from when the fixtures came out that the last month was going to be vital. Thankfully, that is when we peaked as a team.

“I am not just saying this because I am talking to the Yorkshire Post but Scarborough was the real important hurdle that we got over.

“Yorkshire were ahead of us going into that game but we had a game in hand. So, we had to make sure we bridged the gap in that match.

“To win at Scarborough was massive for us all. I sensed a difference after that victory. We’d gone in on good form but we were up against a high-quality side at Scarborough, which is never an easy place to play cricket – especially this time as it was like a Test wicket.

“It was quite foreign to us because we had been used to the ball seaming around (at the Riverside). But I thought the way we adapted and also stuck at it in the second innings after enforcing the follow-on was a magnificent effort.

“There felt to be a true identity to the two teams and I think that is what made that game at Scarborough so competitive. It was a special week, and not just because we won the game. It was real high-quality cricket all the way through.

“It was a game I liken to how Test cricket can be. The intensity and the pressure was the same, while there was an excellent crowd every day and the surface was good.

“The week was so enjoyable because of that and a great experience for the youngsters. It was also great to see the likes of Siddy (Ryan Sidebottom), Bairstow and much of the two teams being lads who had come through. It made the game a legitimate Durham v Yorkshire affair and that brought such a competitive edge.

“We were well supported but it was pretty hard to hear our fans. We came in for some choice words from the boundary edge. Fortunately, we won and the confidence we took out of that was immense. After that, I felt we could go on and win the title.”

Paul Collingwood is an ambassador for Yorkshire Bank, who have rewarded cricket fans this season by giving away 150 cricket bats through their Giving Bat to You campaign. He was speaking at the Yorkshire Bank 40 End of Season Lunch at Headingley.