Mat Pillans has never hidden away from the fact he has a need for speed. So he may well be just the man to help Yorkshire bounce back quickly from Thursday’s opening day Royal London Cup defeat to Surrey.
The Vikings are on the road to the Fischer County Ground, Grace Road on Sunday to face Leicestershire Foxes (11am) in their second 50-over Group B fixture.
Whilst it is clearly far from win or bust stage in the bid for a top three finish, Yorkshire clearly don’t want to be going two defeats from two this weekend.
But, if Pillans continues to the bowl the way he has done this week, there is a very good chance that will not happen.
The South African overseas fast bowler claimed an excellent 3-23 in Tuesday’s friendly win over Northamptonshire at Scarborough and then claimed 4-57 in defeat against Surrey two days later as the hosts failed to defend 166.
“We have a talented dressing room, and I’m confident we can start putting results together,” said Pillans, who was one of two positives to come out of the Surrey game.
The other? Matthew Revis, the 19-year-old who struck an excellent run-a-ball 43 on his List A debut – the top score in the Yorkshire innings.
“Rev has been hitting the the ball so well and has taken his opportunity. He’s been looking so good. I’m really happy for him,” said Pillans.
And that is a lot of what this competition is about.
Of course, Yorkshire will want to win the competition. That is without question. But there is another measure of success given there are 10 senior players away in the Hundred.
That is fast-tracking the development of youngsters like Revis.
“The way they play is probably leaps above where most people would be,” said Pillans of the White Rose’s crop of players for the next generation.
