Gillespie wants equanimity from Yorkshire in title hunt

JASON GILLESPIE last night played down talk of winning the County Championship after Yorkshire maintained their impressive start to the season.

The Yorkshire first-team coach said he does not want his players to get ahead of themselves after they consolidated their position in the leading pack with the better of a draw against Somerset at Taunton.

Three wins and two draws from their opening six games has raised hopes that Yorkshire could finally end their 12-year wait for the Championship trophy.

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It would be all the sweeter in this, the club’s 150th anniversary year, but although Yorkshire are firmly in the mix at present, Gillespie sounded a note of realism. Asked whether Yorkshire are genuine contenders, the former Australia fast bowler said: “That is looking a bit far ahead; we’re just focusing on each challenge as we get to it.

“I’m not saying we’re not challengers, but if you start looking too far ahead you do take your eye off what’s in front of you.

“We have to respect each and every game we play and each and every opponent, because Division One is a tough division.

“We need to make sure we stay on an even keel.”

Yorkshire might have won again yesterday had they been able to make Somerset follow-on.

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After declaring on 450-5 in their first innings, Yorkshire dismissed the hosts for 310 at lunch on day four, when Somerset required 301 to avoid being asked to bat again.

“It would have been ideal to have knocked Somerset over for less than 300 and had another crack at them, but they played well,” said Gillespie, whose side batted out time to reach 104-4 in their second innings.

“James Hildreth (who scored 115 for Somerset) was excellent with the bat and proved to be a real thorn in our side. But I was really pleased with our bowlers’ efforts on a good batting pitch.

“We put Somerset under pressure and made them earn the right to avoid that follow-on.”

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Yorkshire return to Championship action on Wednesday against Nottinghamshire at Scarborough and Gillespie wants his men to keep their feet on the pedal.

“We’re performing really well and the challenge now is to continue that,” he added.

“Being disciplined and ruthless are the words we use in the dressing room and we can’t let our foot off the gas one little bit.

“The key really is to keep things as simple as possible.

“That means don’t get too down if you don’t perform well and don’t get too excited and too pumped up and full of yourself if you are doing well.”

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Yorkshire’s immediate priority is tomorrow’s YB40 match against Gloucestershire at Headingley (1.45pm start), with Gillespie admitting they must win their remaining eight group games to stand any chance of reaching the knockout stages.

Yorkshire have lost three of their opening four games to slip to second-bottom of a group which Gloucestershire lead after three wins in five.

“We have to win every game now to stand a chance of qualifying,” said Gillespie. “We haven’t played very good cricket in the 40-over competition and we’re not shying away from that.”

Ben Coad, the 19-year-old Academy pace bowler who was 12th man at Taunton, could make his debut as Yorkshire rest Ryan Sidebottom and possibly Steve Patterson also.

Gillespie said of Sidebottom: “We’re going to put the Bentley in the garage for the weekend to keep him fresh for Notts.”

Match report: Page 5.