By Graham Hardcastle, Paul Dyson and Jonathan Doidge
Paul Grayson fields the question, can Yorkshire win the County Championship? His answer, without hesitation, gives you an idea of the confidence within the camp. “Why not?”
In their opening two games, prior to the break for the one-day Cup, Yorkshire drew one and won one to leave them second in Specsavers Division One.
They resume four-day action against newly promoted Kent at Canterbury on Tuesday, the first of eight games before the T20 Blast in late July which are likely to shape their season.
“If we play some good cricket over the next couple of months, who knows what could happen?” said the county’s new batting coach.
“These eight games will give us a good indication as to where we’re at.
“Two or three wins and you’re up there and two or three losses and you’re down the bottom. That’s Division One cricket. It’s so tough.”
Last month, Yorkshire drew their opener at Nottinghamshire and then won by an innings against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.
Grayson continued: “We’ve come across two good sides and come out of it well. The mood’s good in the camp.
“The game at Trent Bridge, I think we were probably second best. But we were lucky to see that special performance from Joe Root and Gary Ballance in the second innings to get us out of a hole at 20-2.
“Maybe in the past we might have got bowled out by tea-time, but those two put on a bit of an exhibition.
“Adam Lyth also played well in the first innings for his 80-odd.
“Going down to the Ageas Bowl, we put on a big score in the first innings through mainly Gary and Rooty again, Jack Leaning also got runs. It’s been pretty pleasing the way it’s gone with the bat.
“We know as a batting unit that if we get a competitive first-innings score, our bowlers will generally go close to getting 20 wickets.
“We know Rooty’s not going to be around now. That’s it. We had to enjoy him whilst he was here.
“The players are well aware they need to put their hands up and score the runs he’s made, whether that’s collectively from one right the way down or from certain individuals saying, ‘I’m going to get a big hundred’.
“It will be interesting to see what happens with selection.
“But some of the lads in the second team have been playing nicely. Will Fraine has been getting runs. Will’s maybe the next one in line to come in.”
Kent have played two away games so far, losing their opener against early leaders Somerset and then beating Warwickshire: “They’re a decent outfit,” said Grayson, who is loving life back in the county game after three-and-a-half-years away following the end of his spell as Essex’s head coach.
The Ripon-born former England international re-joined Yorkshire in early March.
“It’s been great,” he added.
“When you come out of the game, you appreciate it more when you come back in again.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with the lads.
“When you’re a head coach, you have to make some big decisions, hiring and firing people, contracts, selection. But I don’t have to worry about that anymore. I just come on and do my specialist bit of coaching.
“If Patto and Galey ask my advice, I’m there.
“I’m also looking forward to spending some time with the second team and Academy lads as they play more cricket. I’m going down to Canterbury, but I’ll be at Leicester the week after with the seconds.”