Paul Grayson says Yorkshire’s batsmen will take confidence from their performances over the last few weeks as they bid to chase down 224 to beat Warwickshire at Emerald Headingley tomorrow.
The White Rose are 50-3 ahead of the final day of this penultimate round LV= Insurance County Championship round fixture with the Bears.
Both sides’ bid for victory was held up today by rain, with no play possible – heavy and persistent rain forced the abandonment at 2.30pm.
Batting has, at times this season, been an issue for Yorkshire.
But, during the last two Division One games before this, they have been excellent in that area, posting commanding scores of 243, 312-6 declared and 308 in the draw at Hampshire and the win against Somerset at Scarborough.
“The one thing we have done well with the bat in the last couple of weeks is scrap very hard, and we’ll have to do that again tomorrow,” said batting coach Grayson.
“We will have to show a lot of skill and character, and we’ll need that bit of luck as well.
“It would be nice if we turn up tomorrow morning and it’s cracking the flags because we saw last night for a little period when the sun was out that the wicket looked a little bit flatter.
“We have a positive mindset and belief that we can chase these runs down, definitely.
“We’re aware that it’s going to be pretty difficult, but we talk about partnerships. Hopefully we can put a couple of big ones together and go close.
“It was a blow losing Dawid last night because, for an hour, him and Gary both looked in control of the game.
“But we still have some very good players to come in – left and right-handers, some that can hang around and others who can counter-attack. We just have to get the balance right.
“But the key is, and how often do we say it in our game?, the first hour tomorrow is going to be massive. It’s a real cliche, but it will be the case.
“If we can get the ball that bit softer and tire their bowlers out, it could be set up for a really interesting day.”
Gary Ballance will be at the crease first thing in the morning, unbeaten on 21.
