Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Head coach Anthony McGrath reflects at the end of his first season in charge of Yorkshire.
Anthony McGrath was full of praise for the way his Yorkshire side signed off for 2025, securing an innings and 44-run victory over Durham at Headingley this afternoon.
Division One safety was confirmed at 10.55am with Hampshire’s loss at home to Surrey.
Yorkshire could ‘free the arms’ and go for the win. They had a lead of 129 over Durham with 89 overs remaining in the day, and they only needed 44.5 of them to bowl their visitors out for 85.
Dom Bess and George Hill claimed four wickets apiece, securing win number four in this season’s Rothesay County Championship.
Seventh placed was consolidated, with their 168-point haul only four short of fourth place.
Head coach McGrath also gave a positive update on captain Jonny Bairstow’s future with the club, both parties in discussions over a new contract.
First, he spoke about today’s match and the season overall.
He said: “We knew this morning that there were still a few permutations that could happen with the Hampshire game still going on. But our focus was to bat for as long as we could this morning and try and bowl Durham out.
“Once the Hampshire result was through, Durham just had to get through the day. The pitch was pretty flat, and most observers watching the first few days thought that would be the case.
“But, testament to the lads and their spirit. I thought we bowled really well before lunch. We didn’t let them get away. And, yeah, things just escalated very quickly.
“Jordan Thompson’s wicket of David Bedingham was the start of it. It was an amazing next hour.
“It was incredible watching Bessy coming from the bottom end (Howard Stand), and the bowlers were relentless. It just shows what a bit of pressure can do.
“For us, it’s a great way to finish the season.
“Getting a win at Headingley, securing our Division One status, and I think there’s a lot of positives to take from the last game and build for next season.”
On the season, he said: “We took it down to the last game, mathematically, which you don’t want to do. But we’ve had some missed opportunities which could have seen the table look a lot different.
“Overall, first innings, we haven’t got enough batting points. We’ve seen when you bat well in the first innings, you win games. We’ve done it here.
“Chelmsford draw, a missed opportunity. I know it’s all ifs and buts, but it’s a fine line between those extra points. We could have been sat here with something very different.
“With a few tweaks, it something we can definitely build on and look forward to a challenge next season.”
And, on Bairstow’s future, he added: “We want him to stay. He knows that.
“He’s having discussions with the club. Hopefully we’ll have some news shortly.
“I know Jonny loves Yorkshire and loves playing here.
“I’m sure him and the club will get their heads together, and hopefully there will be some good news.
“I don’t want to speak too soon, but I’m pretty confident we’ll see Jonny here next year.”
