Yorkshire CCC resilience makes coach Andrew Gale proud but Steve Patterson says ‘best’ yet to come

The Yorkshire first team coach was proud of his players as they hit back to dramatically beat Northants by one run at Headingley.

But he candidly conceded that it followed another poor top-order batting performance, with Yorkshire once more having to show their powers of recovery to go second in Championship Group Three – six points behind leaders Lancashire and with a 23-point cushion to third-placed Sussex.

“I’m very proud of the lads,” said Gale.

“It was a rollercoaster four days. We didn’t play our best cricket again and although part of that disappoints me, part of me is also very proud of the players.

“The togetherness and the belief, the attitude, the character, the resilience of the group – to win in that fashion, just like we did at Sussex last week, shows there’s something there because you don’t win those games without character.

“But, to push on, without it being too much of a negative, and to go from a good side to a great side, we’ve got to start to perform better with the bat and to dominate games.”

Gale’s comments were echoed by captain Steve Patterson, who took the winning wicket en route to claiming his side’s best figures of 3-35 as Northants were dismissed for 218 chasing 220.

“The really good sides never give in,” said Patterson.

“They are hard to beat and they always find a way to win even when they’re not playing at their best, and I think we’ve done that over the last few weeks. But the sides that go on to become great sides are the ones that are continually looking to improve and who are honest with their flaws.

“And we have to be honest with ourselves and say we haven’t been anywhere near our best yet.

“We were very light on runs again with our top order, and it’s about showing the right character, working hard and trying to put things right.

“If we can start to do that and drive games from the first day, the first session, we’re going to be a tough team to beat.”

Gale confirmed that England Test captain Joe Root will return for Thursday’s match against Kent at Headingley.

Yorkshire also hope to have Ben Coad back after a shoulder injury, although fellow pace bowlers Matthew Fisher (abdominal) and Matthew Waite (side) are not quite ready for selection.

“I’m hoping that Ben Coad will be fine,” said Gale.

“His record at Headingley speaks for itself, and we want to get him in.

“We also might have to rest one or two bowlers with a few tired legs around the place.

“It’s a bit too early for Fish. He needs another game in the second team and needs to get through his workloads and perform, but Matthew Waite will bowl in a match this week and everyone now is on the road to recovery.

“I’m hoping that in a couple of weeks we’ll have a full bill of health and a full battery of seamers to choose from.”

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