Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. AJ Tye celebrates dismissing Leicestershire’s Rishi Patel in a win at Headingley.
Anthony McGrath has hailed “superb” AJ Tye as Yorkshire prepare for the business end of a T20 competition, the stage of an event the experienced Australian is oh so familiar with.
Tye, aged 39, is set for his fourth Vitality Blast quarter-final when the White Rose face defending champions Somerset in front of the TV cameras at Headingley tomorrow (4.30pm start).
But it’s as a four-time Big Bash League champion with Perth Scorchers where Tye has forged a reputation as the one of the very best players the short game has to offer.
Tye has played 261 times in his T20 career, 12 of which have come for Yorkshire. He has taken 363 wickets and has scored 886 runs.
In this ongoing campaign, he has taken 20 wickets and has contributed 137 runs, including a career best score of 44.
Pakistani overseas star Hassan Ali has taken the bulk of the headlines this campaign because of his 25-wicket return. No bowler in the Blast has taken more.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. AJ Tye and Hassan Ali celebrate getting Yorkshire over the line against Derbyshire at Headingley at the start of the competition in late May thanks to some late fireworks with the bat.
Former Durham, Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire man Tye, though, has been one of another number who have been crucial to Yorkshire’s progression through the North Group to be just one win away from a fourth Finals Day appearance.
Head coach McGrath said: “He’s been superb. We knew what AJ could do with the ball, but he’s been a game-changer with the bat. I think he’s got one of the highest strike rates (187.67, sixth best in the competition).
“His fielding as well, it’s been sensational.
“An all-round package, and he’s probably been one of our most consistent players, I would say.
“But there’s been a few. It’s difficult to pick anyone out, but AJ has been magnificent.
“We mentioned before the competition about the age of a few of our lads. With that, you get great experience, with AJ, Hassan, Jonny, Lythy and Mo. It’s always good to have that in your corner, particularly when it gets to the crunch time.”
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Anthony McGrath has been speaking about AJ Tye’s impact for Yorkshire during this season’s Vitality Blast.
