Yorkshire v Lancashire: We've still got plenty in the tank, says Moxon

The 2014 and 2015 champions are currently fifth in the eight-team First Division after one win, one defeat and two draws in their opening four matches.

It amounts to an “okay” start according to director of cricket Martyn Moxon, who believes that there is more to come as Yorkshire enter a key period in which they play five Championship games in as many weeks before T20 takes centre stage for a month.

“It’s been okay so far,” said Moxon. “There’s been a lot of good things, but there are still areas we can be better at.

“We’ve got plenty in the tank, and the good thing is that we’re there or thereabouts having played okay.

“Hopefully, we can really kickstart the season now and get all aspects of our game right at the same time.

“The good news is that everyone is now fit and available – apart, obviously, from the England lads – and that’s a real positive going into this crucial period of fixtures.”

Following the quickfire return fixture against Lancashire, against whom Yorkshire drew at Old Trafford on their last Championship outing, the White Rose travel to Somerset next week.

They then face champions Middlesex at Lord’s before hosting Surrey at Headingley and Somerset at Scarborough.

“It’s going to be an important period of the summer coming up, with pretty much all the teams looking both up and down in terms of the league table at the moment,” said Moxon.

“It’s important that we try and get a win on the board to keep us in touch with the leading teams, and ideally it’s a good time to win a game to get us right up there.

“The league is looking as competitive and tight as ever this year, so every point is going to be vital.

“The lads have had a bit of a rest in recent days, so hopefully we’ll be nice and refreshed for the busy period coming up.”

Moxon is looking for more ruthlessness from the players to help spark the necessary climb up the table.

Yorkshire have been clinical in patches, but not quite as often as they desire, with one or two catches going down and with the top-order batting still a work in progress.

“We’ve missed a few chances in the field this year,” he said.

“Nobody means to drop catches, but they do make a difference, so it’s about taking those opportunities when they come along.

“We also need to be more ruthless with the bat, and we’re still not quite nailing it as a top-five.

“Individuals are doing quite well at times, but, as a collective, we haven’t been at our best, so that’s something that we’re still aiming for.”

Moxon’s comments were echoed by first-team coach Andrew Gale.

“We could definitely be a bit more ruthless,” he said.

“We’ve dropped a few pivotal chances and we’ve also lost a few key passages of play.

“We’ve just got to be more ruthless, identify those key periods and come out on top.

“Winning at home is also going to be big for us because, as we saw from when we went to Old Trafford, the way that people prepare their pitches for us makes it difficult to force a result.

“We’ve got to make Headingley a bit of a fortress, and we’ve got a fantastic record there over the last two or three years, and we’ll be looking to continue that.”

Although Yorkshire recently welcomed back pace bowlers Ryan Sidebottom and Jack Brooks from injury, they are without their England players due to the Champions Trophy.

Lancashire are also depleted, with Jos Buttler on Champions Trophy duty, James Anderson and Kyle Jarvis injured, and Liam Livingstone missing due to England Lions’ commitments.

“We know ourselves that when you have quality players missing it leaves a hole, and you’ve got to fill it,” said Moxon.

“We’ve been able to do that pretty well over the last few years, and we’ll see whether Lancashire can.

“They’ve got Jordan Clark potentially to come back in if he’s fit, and he’s done well for them.

“But, obviously, Anderson, in particular, is a big loss because he’s a world-class bowler.

“You’re going to miss somebody like him, particularly at Headingley potentially, but we can’t take Lancashire lightly.

“We know they’re a competitive outfit, and we’ll still have to play very well to beat them.”

Gale also believes it should be a cracking encounter.

“From playing in a lot of Roses matches, they’re the games that people remember,” he said.

“If you can make a hundred, take a five-wicket haul or make a match-winning contribution, they’re the games you’re remembered for.

“I’m sure there will be a good crowd in at Headingley, and hopefully we can put on a really good show.”