Andrew Gale has urged his batsmen not to dwell on their first-innings display in being bowled out for 96 by Somerset, although the Yorkshire coach has admitted it cost his side the chance of victory at Taunton.
Yorkshire were beaten by 118 runs at the Cooper Associates County Ground as they were unable to overhaul a target of 321, leaving them with a draw, win and loss from their first three Championship games.
An improvement in the top order batting was the primary winter goal at Emerald Headingley.
And, despite their Saturday struggles in the West Country, Gale is confident that an upturn in form is not too far away.
“I thought the difference between the two sides was the batting from us in the first innings,” said the former captain.
“I was disappointed with the way we went about it.
“I thought we could have put a bit more pressure onto Somerset and were quite negative in the way we batted.
“It does feel a little bit like that (same old story with the batting), but it’s not all doom and gloom. I don’t want us to get too down about it.
“We know the areas we’ve got to improve.
“The top five has got to bat better, particularly under pressure.
“I’d just like us to have that one breakthrough knock where someone stands up and takes the game away from them.”
In being bowled out for 96, Yorkshire were replying to Somerset’s 216, including Australian opener Matthew Renshaw’s belligerent 112.
“Fair play to Renshaw,” said Gale. “He came out and chanced his arm.
“The lads swear he nicked off early doors, which they thought was a poor decision.
“Had that gone our way, there were also a couple of chances which dropped short, it might have been a different game.
“He came out and batted more like it was a T20 rather than a four-day game.
“But we shouldn’t have been bowled out for 96.
“Had we got somewhere near their total, I’d have backed us to knock the runs off.
“I thought our bowling was outstanding, particularly Coad and Brooks. They got us back in the game and gave us a chance.
“For Jack Leaning to play like he did today was fantastic. Hopefully he’ll get a lot of confidence from that and our top order can start firing.”
Yorkshire face champions Essex at Chelmsford on Friday and will include England duo Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root in their side.
“They’re fantastic additions to any team,” added Gale, who is also hoping to have Steve Patterson available for the first time this summer following a broken finger suffered during training two days out from the start of the season.
“He’s got to have a fitness test on Wednesday and see the specialist again to give him the all clear.
“It’s probably earlier than we’d anticipate, but he’s a big player for us.”
