McGrath looking to prove he can still produce

The question is set to arise for the first time on Thursday when the club host Essex in the County Championship at Headingley Carnegie.

All being well, Yorkshire will have eight frontline batsmen in contention for that game: the top-order which played in the opening match against Kent – Joe Sayers, Joe Root, Anthony McGrath, Andrew Gale, Jonny Bairstow and Gary Ballance – plus Phil Jaques and Adam Lyth.

Jaques, who links up with the county this week after signing a two-year deal during the winter, has not been recruited to make up the numbers, hence the selection headache for Yorkshire’s management.

Of the batsmen who played against Kent, the most vulnerable going forward would appear to be Anthony McGrath.

With Joe Sayers having been made vice-captain, and with Root, Gale, Bairstow and Ballance more or less cemented, McGrath is the one who seems most susceptible on paper.

Lyth has slipped down the pecking order in recent times, following his stunning season in 2010, but he remains a viable option in every format.

McGrath, however, will be wise enough to know he is under threat unless he can discover the form of which he is capable.

His immediate position, however, is probably secure.

With all-rounder Rich Pyrah having broken his left hand against Kent, an injury set to keep him out for around six weeks, McGrath is an obvious choice to perform what might be termed the Pyrah role.

He could even drop down the order if necessary to accommodate Jaques, while he showed against Leeds-Bradford that he can still turn his hand to useful medium-pace, compensating for the overs Pyrah could bowl.

McGrath claimed match figures of 7-65 against the students, getting the ball to nibble about and displaying good control, and one man’s pain could be another man’s gain – although Tim Bresnan’s return for the Championship fixtures at Kent (April 26-29) and at home to Leicestershire (May 2-5) will further complicate matters.

Make no mistake, this promises to be a big summer for McGrath, who played four Test matches and 14 one-day internationals between 2003 and 2004 and who was unlucky not to make more England appearances.

At 36 he is no spring chicken as he continues into the twilight of a distinguished career, which started with Yorkshire back in 1995.

Last season was one of his worst in terms of form and injury; McGrath made only 485 Championship runs at 21.08 and was plagued by problems with his back and knee.

He came under fire from sections of the Yorkshire support, some of whom even suggested he should be put out to pasture.

This time, however, McGrath is fully fit and determined to shove his detractors’ words back down their throats. And, unlike last year, he has enjoyed a full and fulfilling pre-season, which could well make all the difference.

The combination of almost no pre-season in 2011, allied to a dip in form in a struggling side, made it a year to forget for the affable McGrath, who put a brave face on a summer that would have hurt him to the core.

Now he is anxious to show his appetite for runs and wickets remains undimmed and that he still has a great deal to offer.

“I’ve got that determination to prove people who have written me off wrong,” said McGrath, who has scored just over 14,000 first-class runs at 36. “I definitely use negative comments as something to drive me on.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play at this club since 1995 and, if you play for that long, you are going to take a lot of criticism on the way.

“You’ve got to accept that and use it as a motivation tool.

“There’s no problem with that – it’s part and parcel of professional sport.

“I’ve got to use that in the right way.”

McGrath has been around long enough not to get fazed by criticism or pressure.

He knows there is always pressure if you play for Yorkshire, where standards are high and expectations significant.

He also knows he must back up positive words with productive actions, a task that is certainly well within his compass.

One big innings would surely get him going and give Yorkshire and their supporters a significant boost.

Of course, there is not just pressure on McGrath of the recognised batsmen.

No one can be guaranteed a spot in a competitive line-up – not even Jaques, who will have to work hard to justify his spot.

With competition for places increasingly strong, and with new first team coach Jason Gillespie demanding the highest of standards, no one can take his position for granted. It is up to each player to make the most of his opportunity – and McGrath is determined to capitalise on the chances that come his way.