Gavin Hamilton says overseas winter cricket for Yorkshire’s stars is an “absolute priority of ours”.
Many of the county’s players from both the men’s and women’s squads are spending their winter in sunnier climes, something the new general manager of cricket is a big fan of.
Added to those playing international cricket such as Harry Brook, Adil Rashid and Joe Root, a good number are featuring in franchise, domestic or club cricket.
Lauren Winfield-Hill, for example, is playing domestic cricket for Queensland, Jafer Chohan is continuing his busy winter in the Big Bash with Sydney Sixers, while the likes of Noah Kelly and Sterre Kalis have shone in Australian grade cricket.
There are many others.
Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root are both slated to play in January’s SAT20 in South Africa, while Jordan Thompson is returning to the United Arab Emirates for the ILT20 with champions MI Emirates.
Picture by Century Cricket Competitions. Noah Kelly got the hundred bug in Melbourne.
Rebecca Duckworth links up with Gold Coast Dolphins in Queensland club cricket early next month.
“I would love to get 85 percent of our players away next year if possible, “ said former all-rounder Hamilton.
“Look, I appreciate that it’s pending family situations and personal circumstances. But it’s an absolute priority of ours.
“Especially at a young age, you learn so much.
“Myself and Mags (men’s head coach, Anthony McGrath) have spoken about this previously.
“We had 10 years overseas, almost every winter, and it was so beneficial to us as people as much as it was to us as cricketers. Everything about it is just good for you.
Picture by YCCC. Yorkshire’s new general manager of cricket Gavin Hamilton says overseas cricket is key to the county’s winter plans.
“I did seven years in South Africa – two at Bloemfontein and five in Paarl. Then I had two years in Melbourne and one in Perth.”
Four of Yorkshire’s men’s squad are currently in Melbourne playing grade cricket, although right as things stand the respective competitions have broken for Christmas.
They are Ben Cliff, Harry Duke, the aforementioned Kelly and Will Luxton.
In Sydney, Dom Bess is also playing grade cricket, as is women’s batter Kalis.
Performance wise, Kelly and Kalis have had most success.
Kelly has been a consistent run-getter for Beaumaris, while he was also invited to play in a T20 festival for Ringwood Under 21s earlier this month and scored three hundreds in four days.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Jonny Bairstow is due to play in next month’s SAT20 for the first time, featuring for Joburg Super Kings.
Kalis has also scored consistently for Gordon women, including a 50-over century.
“We’re very relaxed about performances leading up to this time of the winter,” continued Hamilton. “Our players are away fine-tuning up until Christmas.
“We’ve spoken to every single one of them, and it’s lovely to be getting runs and wickets. But preparing well for the new season is the number one goal.
“The other important thing is for them to just enjoy it because the life experience side of things is vital.
“Come January, that’s when the business end comes.
“That’s when we will be talking about going up a gear or two to get themselves ready for March and (our pre-season tours to) Abu Dhabi.
Picture by YCCC. Will Luxton, Ben Cliff, Harry Duke and Noah Kelly all undertook fitness testing in Melbourne – arranged by Yorkshire – earlier this month.
“As long as you’ve done all of your processes in November and December, that’s when things should all fall into place.”
Runs and wicket, though, certainly won’t do any harm.
“Don’t knock it, without a doubt,” added Hamilton.
“If you’re doing well, keep doing what you’re doing.
“If you’re in the runs and wickets as a player, you will thrive off it.
“Certainly Noah, goodness me, what a few weeks he had!”
Picture: Jordan Thompson/Instagram. Jordan Thompson celebrates MI Emirates success earlier this year. He returns to the UAE next month.
COVER PICTURE. Sterre Kalis bats for Gordon in Sydney. Picture courtesy of Gordon CC.
