Yorkshire CCC star Ben Coad tipped as England contender to replace James Anderson

James Anderson and Stuart Broad – 38 and 34 years old respectively – cannot go on forever, despite their protestations to the contrary and perennial excellence.

Gale, the Yorkshire first XI coach whose men completed their Bob Willis Trophy campaign with a thumping 10-wicket win against Leicestershire at Headingley, is adamant that Coad is already good enough to thrive at Test level.

He is surprised that the 26-year-old is not mentioned more often and said that he can help to fly the flag for England’s bowling unit once Anderson and Broad – 1,114 Test wickets between them and counting – exit the scene.

“England are going to need some bowlers in the next few years,” said Gale, after Coad led the way against Leicestershire yesterday with match figures of 8-41.

“Anderson is not getting any younger, Broad is not getting any younger, and when the conditions are right, someone like Ben Coad… he could be a real asset for England.

“I will bang that drum for him because I think he’s an outstanding person, a great guy to have around the dressing room, and I’m seeing signs of what I used to see with Ryan Sidebottom – real genius.

“He’s got all the attributes for international cricket, and I can’t believe that they don’t speak about him more because when you see that display of bowling that we saw against Leicestershire, you just think ‘wow, what a bowler we’ve got on our hands.’”

Coad, the Harrogate-born spearhead of the Yorkshire attack, brought his first-class average down to less than 20 with returns of 5-18 and 3-23 as Yorkshire completed victory just after lunch on day four, dismissing Leicestershire for 161 from their overnight 78-5 before reaching a 34-run target. He now averages 19.93 from 38 first-class games that have brought him 157 wickets.

Coad is not express pace – he operates in the early-80s mph – but, rather like the former Yorkshire and England great Sidebottom, he has tremendous skill.

Gale does not think that out-and-out pace is the be-all and end-all in international cricket, citing the example of such as Jason Holder, the West Indies captain, and the former South Africa player Vernon Philander as players who have relied on skill as opposed to speed.

“Coady’s not express,” said Gale. “He’s not going to knock people’s heads off, but his skill levels are superb.

“There’s always going to be questions around his pace, but there’s been a few in international cricket with question marks like that – Holder, Philander, those sort of guys.

“Coady is consistent, he’s skilful, he’s got a good wobble ball, and he can swing the ball and nip it back.”

Coad returned to the Yorkshire XI following a side injury which had kept him out since the opening Trophy game at Durham. Matthew Fisher, his new-ball partner, was also back after an abdominal injury suffered during the same match.

“I’ve always said that if we can keep those two lads on the park they’re going to forge a really good partnership,” added Gale, “a bit like the Ryan Sidebottom-Jack Brooks partnership that we used to have.

“The challenge is to keep them fit for long periods. The way they bowled first innings, in particular, was outstanding.”

Gale also praised Jordan Thompson, the 23-year-old all-rounder, who claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket in the Leicestershire second innings (5-31). Thompson has come of age during the Trophy competition, playing a big part as Yorkshire finished top of the North Group.

“He wasn’t even in the team for our first pre-season game, but he’s grabbed his chance with both hands,” said Gale.

Although Yorkshire’s points tally was not quite enough to take them to the final at Lord’s, which will be contested by South Group winners Essex and Central Group champions Somerset, they can be satisfied with their efforts.

“Disappointed not to be going to a Lord’s final, but I don’t think we could have done much more,” said Gale. “We played well enough to warrant getting there but lost nearly 500 overs to the weather.

“I’m proud of the boys, and I think that we’ve played some really good cricket. It’s been a pleasure to see some of the young lads, in particular, take their opportunities.”

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today.

Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers.

So, please - if you can - pay for our work. Just £5 per month is the starting point. If you think that which we are trying to achieve is worth more, you can pay us what you think we are worth. By doing so, you will be investing in something that is becoming increasingly rare. Independent journalism that cares less about right and left and more about right and wrong. Journalism you can trust.

Thank you

James Mitchinson