Picture by Gareth Copley/Getty Images. Yorkshire head coach Anthony McGrath spoke to the media this afternoon.
Anthony McGrath has called for no let up at Trent Bridge next week as Yorkshire aim to end the season with a third straight win against Nottinghamshire.
Head coach McGrath was in understandably chipper mood this afternoon as he watched his White Rose side complete a 185-run win over Somerset at Headingley this afternoon, impressively backing up last week’s victory by an innings against Essex.
Ben Cliff completed sensational match figures of 11-105 with three wickets today as title-chasing Somerset, chasing 287, subsided from 73-3 overnight to 101 all out.
Yorkshire were ruthless with the ball today as they played the role of spoilers perfectly, and they could do the same at Trent Bridge next week, with defending champions Notts’ still mathematically in the title race.
With 24 points available, the top three is as follows – Warwickshire 203 points, Somerset 192 and Notts’ 185.
Yorkshire are back in fifth on 161 points, 13 behind fourth-placed Sussex.
“I think the growth in this team is there to see,” said McGrath. “Anyone watching this team can see the capabilities of them, and it’s how far we can take it.
“Look, we’ve only one more game, and it’s a long time until April. But my belief is that you can do a lot of good in the last games of the season in terms of taking momentum into next year.
“It’s important that we back up next week against Notts’.”
On Yorkshire’s performance here, which ensured they completed the season’s double over Somerset, McGrath enthused: “It was a really good performance against a very good team.
“It’s been a great advert for county cricket. It’s swayed one way and then the other, the first couple of days.
“Somerset, we know what they are going for.
“I thought this morning the first hour was going to be key.
“When the ball’s got softer on this wicket, it’s got easier to bat. And the way we bowled this morning was incredible, to take seven wickets for 20-odd runs.
“The way we fought throughout, maybe this time last year or earlier this, we’d have folded at a couple of points. But, as I say, it shows the growth of the team, the resilience and the togetherness.
“To beat a good team like that by that distance is really pleasing.”
And on fabulous Cliff, McGrath added: “Ben Cliff’s performance is one of the most pleasing of the season.
“I know what he went through last year (side injury, April to August). He’s frustrated that he hasn’t played more.
“He’s a guy who has worked really hard, and you could see the belief and confidence in him.
“He’s got enough pace and can move the ball both ways.
“To get 11-for in any first-class game, particularly when you win, I know how much it means to him.”
