By Graham Hardcastle
Ben Coad is a doubt for Yorkshire’s opening Specsavers County Championship clash with Essex a week on Friday due to a hip flexor injury sustained on pre-season tour in South Africa.
Seamer Coad’s involvement in their two-day intra-squad match in Potchefstroom approximately a fortnight ago was limited to just four overs, and he will not start bowling again until the end of this week.
Director of cricket Martyn Moxon described the chances of Coad’s involvement against the defending champions at Emerald Headingley as “tight” and insisted there won’t be any chances taken on last season’s 50-wicket star.
“There’s no point rushing him because we have all season to think about,” he said.
“Given the resources we’ve got, if there was ever a time to get injured it’s now.
“Frustrating for him and us because he did so well last year and is a wicket-taking bowler. But at least we have cover.”
Speaking at Yorkshire’s pre-season media day today (MONDAY), 24-year-old Coad said: “It’s a bit of a frustrating one.
“It’s nothing too serious, but it has put a delay on things.
“It happened during the last friendly out in Potch. It wasn’t a snap or a big tear, it’s just built up.
“It’s just about resting it for now, and we’ll have to wait and see. It should hopefully be ready for the first or second game.”
