Steve Patterson has hailed the quality of Yorkshire’s slip fielding this summer, admitting he and the rest of the White Rose bowlers have “100 percent” faith in Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Adam Lyth and Harry Brook in that crucial area.
Catches win matches is the age old adage, and unbeaten Yorkshire have won three of their opening five LV= Insurance County Championship fixtures.
Their sixth, against Glamorgan at Cardiff, has been delayed by rain, with the opening day washed out today.
Kohler-Cadmore, Lyth and Brook – first, second and third slip in that order – have all played a significant part in the progression to second place in the Group Three table, leaving the county on course to qualify for the Championship’s top group in August and September alongside leaders Lancashire.
The standout example of their excellence was when they claimed seven catches in the slips in the first innings of the one-run win over Northamptonshire at Emerald Headingley late last month.
“I trust them 100 percent, and I think they are very good,” said captain Patterson.
“It helps all the bowlers to have such good slip fielders in the team.
“The two key things for me are, firstly, that we’ve got a consistent slip cordon and those three lads are there all the time and there’s no chopping and changing.
“And, second, if you look at the practice they do, it’s no surprise that they generally catch very well because they work hard on it every day, day-in, day-out.
“They put a lot of time into it, and that’s why they get their rewards.
“It’s so reassuring as a bowler knowing that you’ve got lads there with good pairs of hands, and generally this year and last year they’ve caught very well.
“I don’t know whether they’re the best in county cricket because unless you see everybody else in action, I think it’s a bit arrogant to say that your lads are better.
“But would I be happy to bowl every day with those three lads in the slips? Absolutely I would.
“I’m very pleased with where we’re at, and it’s been a really important part of our cricket.”
Kohler-Cadmore, Lyth and Brook have taken a combined total of 27 catches in five games this summer, and their success has been highlighted by the fact Joe Root has not been regularly used in the slips during his four Championship appearances so far.
Root is a regular in England’s slip cordon in Test cricket.
The opening day against Glamorgan at Cardiff was washed out.
Heavy overnight rain, followed by showers throughout the day, rendered the Sophia Gardens outfield unplayable, and umpires Martin Saggers and Nigel Llong opted to bring the day to a close just after 2.45pm.
There is more rain expected throughout the remaining three days, but play should get underway during Friday’s second day, giving 19-year-old wicketkeeper Harry Duke the chance to make his first-class – and first-team – debut for the White Rose.
Duke is Yorkshire’s replacement for Jonny Tattersall, who has been short of runs this summer.
Having dropped down to the second team, Tattersall has posted encouraging scores of 62 and 34 against Lancashire at Scarborough this week.
