Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Anthony McGrath is delighted with Yorkshire’s start to their Group B campaign.
Anthony McGrath believes Yorkshire’s two batting performances in their early Metro Bank One-Day Cup victories indicate the impressive progress his side have made over the last couple of months.
In their Group B wins over Warwickshire at Scarborough and then Northamptonshire at Wantage Road on Tuesday and Friday, the White Rose have achieved success with the bat in different ways.
They chased 138 in measured, determined fashion against the Bears on a tricky North Marine Road pitch before overpowering the Steelbacks with 374-5 batting first at Wantage Road. Pakistani overseas opener Imam-Ul-Haq was central to both with 55 and then a career best 159.
Since late June, the county’s season has really sprung into life.
They are four games unbeaten in the Rothesay County Championship and have jumped out of the bottom two places, drawing with leading pair Nottinghamshire and Surrey and beating Essex and Sussex.
The White Rose have also made early – and significant – strides towards the knockouts in 50-over cricket.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Pakistani overseas opener Imam-Ul-Haq has led the charge to two victories with scores of 55 and 159 in the last week.
“I think probably that’s where we’ve fallen short in the Championship and T20 this year,” said McGrath. “We’ve gotten into trouble probably playing one way. Whereas now, we’re seeing that the lads are adapting.
“We talk about problem solvers and finding solutions on different pitches.
“Two different pitches, and we’ve batted two different ways, which is really pleasing.
“John Sadler, our batting coach, is big on that, adapting to conditions. And I think we’re seeing more consistency now from individuals.
“But, as a team, from the Nottingham game back in June in the four-dayers, we’re starting to put up some big totals now. To get whatever we got at Northampton – 370-odd in 50 overs – it was a great effort.”
McGrath was speaking in preview to tomorrow’s blockbuster clash with arch-rivals Lancashire at York, 11am start.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Ben Cliff has been excellent with the new ball, taking seven wickets and Warwickshire and Northamptonshire.
Earlier in the season, in mid-May, after his side had been beaten down at the Kia Oval by Surrey in the Championship, McGrath spoke about the need for his players to be more aggressive in their approach to games.
And that’s something they have taken on board, the all-rounder now really liking what he’s seeing in that regard.
“You can see the way we’re running between the wickets now, for example,” he said. “It’s a lot more aggressive. I think we were a little bit passive early-season.
“There’s always a period of change. New coaches coming in, players getting used to coaches and vice versa.
“But you’re seeing now with the bat, there’s a real template there. And everyone’s buying into it.
“With the ball as well. Whoever’s coming into the team, it’s that line and length – relentless. And in the field, we look a lot sharper as well.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Captain Dom Bess and his Yorkshire team will take a significant step towards the 50-over knockouts with victory over Lancashire at York tomorrow.
“People know their roles and positions. So when you get that, the mentality changes because everyone’s working together. And we look far more aggressive now.
“I said at the Oval when we lost there, we looked like a team of lost boys.
“Now, we look like a team of men, which I think is a big shift.
Lancashire have won one of their opening two games, the other abandoned without a ball bowled.
They couldn’t get on the park in their opener against Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Sedbergh School on Tuesday because of rain.
Yesterday, however, they got up and running with an impressive away win over Somerset at Taunton. Like Yorkshire, Somerset had won their opening two games.
Picture by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images. Fourteen-time Australia Test batter Marcus Harris has been one of Lancashire’s overseas players in 2025 and is captaining them in this competition.
Lancashire chased a target of 251 to win by two wickets. Their Australian batting captain Marcus Harris top-scored with 95 after the spin of debutant all-rounder Arav Shetty had taken three wickets to limit the hosts to 250-7.
Lancashire finished bottom of their group last year, winning two of their eight fixtures.
Former all-rounder Steven Croft is their interim head coach following the mid-season sacking of Dale Benkenstein.
They are dealing with the loss of a host of players to the Hundred.
