Anthony McGrath says Yorkshire need to extend their good periods in matches if they are going to enjoy success in this season’s Division One of the Rothesay County Championship.
Head coach McGrath bemoaned his side’s consistency in their five-wicket defeat against Warwickshire inside three days at Headingley, with the visitors chasing down a 185-target midway through today’s afternoon session.
In bowler-friendly conditions, Yorkshire were always in a game which saw the Bears post a match-high total of 253 in their first innings to secure a lead of 48. But the White Rose were always fighting against the tide from losing the toss and being bowled out for 205 in the first innings.
McGrath said: “I think with bat and ball, we’ve been short, too inconsistent really.
“I just spoke in the dressing room there briefly. I think we were in the game all the way through. But, at key moments, we just couldn’t wrestle the initiative and push on.
“We were nearly there on occasions, but a little bit soft with both bat and ball.
“We’ve shown signs of that through the season, and we’ve got to stamp that out, particularly in Division One, because against teams that are used to that, you’ve just got to sustain periods of pressure for longer.
“I think 250 was probably par in that first innings, and then I think anywhere near 250 (target) that last innings, we would have been able to defend that.
“With 180, we still thought we had a chance. But we were a little bit short, and that was a culmination of how we batted and how we bowled.”
McGrath was also frustrated at Yorkshire being deducted a point because of a slow over-rate through the fixture, cutting their haul to only two points from their fourth match. They have now won one, lost two and drawn one to start 2025.
“There’s no excuse,” said the former England all-rounder and county captain.
“Every point counts whether you’re at the top or the bottom, so it’s something we need to manage better.
“It’s not an excuse that we didn’t bowl an over of spin. Warwickshire didn’t bowl spin either, so it’s frustrating. Hopefully we can pick that up going forwards.”
McGrath revealed that Dawid Malan will miss the next two or three weeks with a groin injury, while Harry Brook and Joe Root will also be unavailable for Essex as they prepare for England’s home international programme, starting on May 22.
“We’re probably going to be bringing a couple of batters into the squad,” added the coach. “There’s been some good performances in the second team. Fin Bean and Matt Revis will come back in.
“I guess we need to cover all bases. Chelmsford has been green this year, but from experience I know it can spin down there.”
