Time for Yorkshire to spread panic

Gillespie wants them to dominate batsmen by fostering feelings of apprehension.

The former fast bowler knows a thing or two about causing trepidation, having been a member of the great Australia sides of the Nineties and Noughties.

Along with such legends of the game as Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, Gillespie created psychological panic among his adversaries.

As Yorkshire prepared for today’s County Championship match against Kent in Canterbury, where they will be seeking their first win of the season at the third attempt, Gillespie outlined what he expects of his bowlers.

“We want batsmen around the country to be intimidated when they’re batting against us,” he said.

“We want to let the opposition know they’re in for a tough contest when they play against Yorkshire.

“That competitiveness is good and the key thing is to make batsmen as uncomfortable as you can.

“That’s the whole game, in my opinion, provided you also play the game in the right spirit, too.”

Gillespie knows that such a fear factor is only created by marrying aggression with quality.

He cites the county’s former England left-arm seam bowler Ryan Sidebottom as the perfect example of someone who combines both virtues to put the wind up opponents.

“Ryan is a great competitor and the type of bloke you want on your team,” said Gillespie, who welcomes back England’s Tim Bresnan for the match at the St Lawrence ground at the expense of Anthony McGrath.

“Ryan always gives 110 per cent and puts pressure on the opposition through his aggressive attitude.

“He doesn’t actually say anything but what his body language suggests to the batsman is, ‘I’m coming to get you, I want your wicket, and I’m going to bust a gut to knock you over.’

“You don’t have to yell and scream and sledge and chirp and all that sort of stuff, although there’s nothing wrong with a bowler having the odd word with a batsman so long as it stays within the rules.”

The performance of Sidebottom, 34, could once again be key this week.

The left-armer claimed his first five-wicket haul of the campaign last week in a drawn game against Essex in which Yorkshire bowled much better collectively than they did when Kent visited Headingley Carnegie for the opening match.

“Ryan just keeps on keeping on,” said Gillespie. “He’s just a wonderful competitor with the way he goes about his business.

“He pitches the ball up and moves the ball through the air and off the pitch, and he’s quicker than people think.

“I always admired him when I played, and, as he is now an older player, I have to manage him as well as I can.

“That’s going to be the big thing going forward – managing and making sure we look after him because he’s still a top player.”

Gillespie was heartened not only by Sidebottom’s contribution against Essex but also that of his bowlers in general.

There was another impressive display from Ajmal Shahzad, along with a fine return to the first team by Steve Patterson, who is set to keep his place today at the expense of Iain Wardlaw.

“I thought Ajmal Shahzad bowled really well against Essex and was incredibly unlucky at times,” added Gillespie. “We saw Test bowling from him really and he was putting the batsmen under lots of pressure.

“Steve Patterson took his opportunity with both hands and I thought he bowled wonderfully well.

“From when I was at Yorkshire as a player, I think Steve has picked up half a yard of pace.”

Having watched his side produce an improved showing against Essex, Gillespie is hopeful they can back that up with their first win of the season.

A lot could depend on the weather, with forecasts suggesting this could be another interrupted fixture, but Gillespie stressed he was pleased with Yorkshire’s progress.

“Things are moving in the right direction,” he insisted. “The beauty of it from my point of view is that the guys know the areas they need to improve. They’re all thinking about their games and that’s crucial.

“We now want to get that first win on the board. We’ve had a couple of ups-and-downs this season but there have been some very good signs for sure.

“It’s early days, I’m excited, and I think the guys are in a pretty good place at the moment. We just need to strive for continual improvement.”

Surrey’s former England batsman Mark Ramprakash has been hit with a three-point penalty for a level one breach relating to “obscene, offensive or insulting” language during last week’s County Championship match against Worcestershire .