Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Anthony McGrath greets MC Richard Graves at Thursday’s player-of-the-year dinner at Headingley.
Anthony McGrath was delighted with Yorkshire’s performance in their Rothesay County Championship season-finale with Durham at Headingley, which finished in thrilling fashion yesterday. But the county’s head coach is targeting more when the 2026 summer rolls around next April.
In reflecting on the county’s innings and 44-run success over Durham, which saw the visitors bowled out for 85 in their second innings yesterday afternoon, McGrath described it as “a great way to finish the season”.
But, of that season overall, the former all-rounder marked it as a “six or a seven”.
“Just because we’ve stayed up and had a decent run in the Metro Bank (One-Day Cup), our mindset needs to be far, far above that,” he reasoned.
“I’m disappointed overall because I expected more in terms of challenging.
“I guess the Metro Bank’s the only one where we looked like we could win it.”
Yorkshire were beaten semi-finalists last month in the 50-over competition, which saw them win seven out of eight group matches and top their Group B table.
Unfortunately, the Vitality Blast was a disappointment, the White Rose only winning five of their 14 matches and finishing second from bottom in the North.
In terms of the Championship, McGrath said: “I honestly don’t think we’re too far away in the red-ball. I think individuals have got better throughout, and we’ve got the nucleus of a good team that can go and win trophies.
“The players have given everything, and I think we’ve grown as a team and a unit.
“Although I’d always be disappointed because we haven’t won a trophy, I think there’s signs there and growth through the season that gives me confidence.”
Yorkshire finished seventh in the Division One on 168 points with a 14-game record of won four, lost four, drawn six. They finished only four points behind fourth-placed Sussex, who were promoted with them last season, and 13 points behind third-placed Sussex.
The manner of yesterday’s final-day performance against Durham gives McGrath huge confidence, however.
Yorkshire were ruthless. At 10.55am, they knew they were safe in Division One as they were just about to start Durham’s second innings. The White Rose had a lead of 129 with 89 overs remaining in the day. With their fate sealed, it would have been easy for the players to subconsciously take their foot off the gas.
Not one bit of it! They went for Durham’s throats and, in the end, relegated them.
“Yeah, we did,” added McGrath. “That was the chat in the morning, and the players drove that.
“They didn’t want to just have an afternoon off, they wanted to try and win. And that, for me, is a very good sign.
“Then, to see them do that as well, that shows that ruthlessness.
“That’s what I mean by the signs that I’ve seen. I think if we can take that throughout a season and add a bit more quality, then it looks good.”
