Yorkshire told to show ruthless side

The Yorkshire captain wants a “ruthless” performance from his team when they return to Championship action at Chesterfield this morning.

Third-placed Yorkshire are overwhelming favourites to beat a Derbyshire side bottom of the table and still without a win in this year’s competition.

The hosts have lost six and drawn three of their nine Championship games and have been rocked by injuries to star batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul (hamstring), all-rounder Wes Durston (back) and pace bowler Tony Palladino (abdominal).

Yorkshire, in contrast, have a clean bill of health as they chase their fifth victory in 10 Championship fixtures.

Gale has recovered from a broken left hand, which has kept him out for the last fortnight, while pace bowler Steve Patterson is set to return following a broken big toe and spinner Azeem Rafiq is back in Championship contention after a knee injury.

With glorious weather forecast, Yorkshire have an excellent chance to put pressure on leaders Sussex, whom they trail by 15 points with a game in hand.

It is an opportunity Gale is determined to grab.

“I want us to go to Chesterfield and be ruthless,” he said.

“We are in the mix at the top of the league and, with a massive amount of cricket still left this season, we have to stay among the top teams in the country.

“We can’t afford to be complacent, though, or we will get found out.

“It is going to be a difficult match; they will be desperate to kick-start their season and will see this as an ideal opportunity to get some momentum.”

If Yorkshire reprise the form they showed in their last Championship away game, when they thrashed Middlesex by 10 wickets at Lord’s, they will win this match comfortably.

Such clinical performances have raised expectations but Gale insists the players are level-headed.

“They’re a great bunch and they remain focused on the job in hand,” he said.

“We’ve played nine games and we know there is still a hell of a lot of cricket to be played with seven matches left.

“The aim is to win the Championship, but we know it won’t be easy.

“I think we’re good enough to do it, but we won’t be taking anything for granted.”

Important to Yorkshire’s prospects will be the continued good form of Gale himself.

Having gone almost two years without a first-class century, he has hit three in as many Championship games, making his recovery from the hand injury timely.

“The hand feels fine now,” said Gale. “I have had a couple of nets this week and, although I was apprehensive as to how the injury would react, it’s gone well.

“There was some pain initially but, after seven or eight balls, I was feeling good.

“I’m just delighted to be back; it’s been a frustrating few weeks with missing out on a couple of T20 matches.

“But the main thing was getting ready for this Championship match.”

Gale is delighted to have Patterson and Rafiq back too.

Patterson got hit on the toe while batting during the Championship game against Surrey three weeks ago, while Rafiq is chomping at the bit to make his first four-day appearance since the opening match of the season against Sussex.

“It’s a big boost that we’re now injury-free and have a fully-fit squad,” added Gale.

“Steve Patterson has been playing for the seconds over the past fortnight and has been in good nick.

“He has captained them and has been working hard on his bowling. We have missed him in our T20 matches but to have him back for the Championship matches is crucial.

“He has been outstanding this season and is one of the best bowlers in the competition. Azeem has worked hard to get fit and has been brilliant for us in our T20 campaign.

“He’s an exceptional talent and to have him in the squad will give us options.”

Alex Lees, who will open the batting at Chesterfield, has given Yorkshire a further boost by signing a contract extension with the club until December 2015 along with wicketkeeper-batsman Dan Hodgson and batsman Jack Leaning.

Martyn Moxon, Yorkshire’s director of cricket, remarked: “We have been delighted with the progress made by those lads this season.

“Alex has established himself in the Championship squad and has scored some important runs, including his maiden Championship century at Lord’s against Middlesex.

“Dan has scored some important runs for the seconds and has contributed in Twenty20 cricket this season, while Jack is making tremendous progress for the seconds and it won’t be long before he is knocking on the door of the first team.”

Yorkshire have not offered a new contract to spinner Gurman Randhawa, who is free to speak to other counties.

[email protected]

n Match preview: Page 22.