George Hill says Yorkshire’s band of young bucks are relishing the chance to shine in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, which started ideally for them a couple of days ago.
All-rounder Hill, 23, starred in their convincing 25-run rain-affected win over Surrey at the Kia Oval on Thursday, hitting 51 from number five in the order before adding three wickets with his seamers.
It was a victory which gave the side significant confidence at the start of a Group B campaign which continues for them against Nottinghamshire at Welbeck Colliery CC (Nettleworth) tomorrow (11am).
Not only that, ex-England Under 19s star Hill admitted it was a bit of a ‘pinch me’ moment being out at such a famous venue with a number of his very close mates.
“There’s a core of us who’ve known each other since we were 10 or 11,” he said.
“Take away Bessy, Mozza and Shan, and we’ve all come through the Academy. We’ve definitely got that bond. Being out there on Thursday at a ground like that, having grown up together and being really good mates, it was unbelievable.”
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. George Hill was excellent in victory at the Kia Oval. Can he do it again at Nottinghamshire?
The strong bond between the group is clear. It was most evident when James Wharton took a stunning one-handed catch on the deep cover boundary off Hill’s bowling as Surrey chased a revised target of 248 in 33 overs.
The whole team sprinted from their different fielding positions and swamped Wharton in jubilation.
“Celebrating each other’s success is something we do really well in this team,” continued Hill.
“If you can’t celebrate a catch like that, when can you celebrate?
“We’re quite a young side.
“The last couple of years, we’ve all been lucky to play in this comp and gain some experience.
Picture by Ian Roman/Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub. James Wharton claimed three catches against Surrey, including two contenders for catch-of-the-season.
“We’ve played with each other for a long time, and the bond we’ve got out there on the pitch and in the changing room is unreal.
“It’s just a real credit to Gibbo and the lads with how much we enjoy playing with each other. The environment in the dressing room is really good.
“Gibbo’s a great bloke, and he’s giving the young lads opportunities to go and do well for one of the best clubs in the country.
“Hopefully we can show that we deserve them.”
The early signs are good. Ok, one swallow doesn’t make a summer, and there remains plenty of hard work before a top-three finish and knockout qualification is achieved.
Though the wide range of contributors to the win at Surrey suggests Yorkshire have what it takes to really challenge in this season’s MB50 competition, despite missing seven players because of international duty and the Hundred.
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com. Shan Masood is aiming to go two wins from two at the start of this season’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup.
That will soon be eight when captain Shan Masood departs for international duty early next month.
“Surrey are obviously a very good side, so the other day was a big confidence boost for us,” continued Keighley-born Hill. “But we’re not looking too far ahead. We’re just taking each game as it is.”
Hill was excellent at the Oval, alongside the likes of Will Luxton (83), Matthew Revis (36 not out), Dom Leech (three wickets) and Ben Coad (1-25 from seven overs).
“I was pretty happy with it, but more so just because it contributed to a win,” he continued.
“I love this team and love winning games for Yorkshire. If I can contribute as much as I can to that, then that’s the main thing.”
Hill is now just 11 games away from playing 100 times for Yorkshire across all formats since debuting in 2020. He has taken 81 wickets and scored 2,629 runs.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. George Hill was one of eight players who have come through the Yorkshire Academy playing against Surrey on Thursday.
He said: “I’m still quite young, but I’ve played a bit of cricket now. I’ve taken on that mature type of role on the batting side, and my white ball batting skills have definitely improved.
“I worked really hard with Ali (Maiden) over the winter before I went to New Zealand, practicing my sweeps and scoops, which seem to be coming off quite well at the moment.
“With the ball, I’m copying what Coady does. He keeps it real simple.
“It’s difficult to compare yourself to him given how good he is, but he doesn’t try to over-complicate it.
“He just tries to bowl the same ball time and time again, especially on a wicket that’s offering a bit – there was a bit of nip there, a bit of carry at the Oval.”
Asked whether he has set himself any personal goals for this competition, he said: “Hopefully we just keep winning and I contribute.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Matthew Revis hit four sixes in a blistering late 36 not out at the Kia Oval.
“I’m not really one for setting individual goals because it can be difficult potentially because of where I’m batting and where I’m bowling. One innings I might be in during the powerplay, another I might be in right at the back end.
“It’s just about having a really positive mindset no matter what scenario I’m in – taking the positive option and enjoying myself.”
Nottinghamshire have played two, won one and lost one so far in Group B. They lost their opener at Leicestershire before beating Sussex by eight wickets chasing 217 at Welbeck yesterday.
In bowling Sussex out for 216, seamers Luke Fletcher and Toby Pettman claimed three wickets apiece. Notts recovered their chase from 8-2 thanks to unbeaten centuries for opener Ben Slater (107) and captain Haseeb Hameed (101).
They shared an unbroken 211 for the third wicket.
