James Wharton says experiencing the joy of promotion has whetted the appetite of Yorkshire’s young guns to push on and achieve more in 2025 and beyond.
Wharton, who turns 24 at the start of next month, was the man who hit the run which sealed the county’s promotion to Division One of the Rothesay County Championship.
On day three of their season-ending draw with Northamptonshire at Headingley in late September, he punched a single down the ground to secure the bonus point needed to seal second place in Division Two.
Having celebrated well in the dressing room, he then went on to complete a memorable 285 – one of two sizeable personal contributions in four-day cricket last summer.
The other was the 188 he hit in the innings victory over Derbyshire at Chesterfield at the start of July.
“We’re quite a young squad, and for a lot of us promotion was our first taste of success,” said the Huddersfield-born star.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. James Wharton has signed a new long-term contract at Headingley.
“It wasn’t a trophy, but it was a success. And we’re all very, very hungry to have that feeling again.
“Just looking back and reflecting, walking off the pitch on day three when we knew we’d been promoted was – without doubt – the best feeling I’ve ever had on a cricket field.
“It honestly was amazing, and I think that kind of thing will just make us even more hungry to achieve more.”
Wharton was speaking after signing a new three-year contract with the county.
He first debuted for the county in T20 cricket during the shortened Covid summer but has kicked on encouragingly since debuting in the Championship in the early stages of 2022.
He has scored three first-team centuries, two in the Championship and one in the Blast.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. James Wharton acknowledges the Headingley crowd en-route to his season-ending 285 against Northamptonshire in September.
Last season’s haul of 833 Championship runs was the second best in Yorkshire’s squad behind opener Adam Lyth, who finished with 1,215 runs.
“Personally, I’m really happy with how I’ve gone and how we all went last season,” he continued. “But we all need to kick on.
“Nobody is looking at themselves and patting themselves on the back. At the end of the day, we’re going into Division One, which is a different challenge. We need to be better than what we did last year or in previous years.”
Looking back to Wharton’s pair of standout contributions last summer, they make for an interesting comparison. Clearly, a score of 285 catches the eye more, but the man himself believes his 188 against Derbyshire was a better knock.
The 285 against Northamptonshire came when Yorkshire’s job of securing promotion was all but complete, and the Headingley pitch was favourable.
Against Derbyshire, Yorkshire were in danger of not making the most of bowling the hosts out for 76 first up given they had slipped to 165-5 during the second half of day one. But Wharton shared 241 for the sixth wicket with Jonny Tattersall, who also contributed an excellent 107 to lead the visitors to 451-9 declared.Derbyshire then fell to 171 all out second time around.
Picture by John Heald. James Wharton and Jonny Tattersall (r) during their double century stand against Derbyshire at Chesterfield last summer.
“They were completely different situations,” reflected Wharton.
“That game against Derbyshire, myself and Tatts were able to put on a partnership, slog a few and get away with it on a bit of a green nipper of a pitch – although I’m sure the lads will tell you it was a flat one.
“Myself and Jon will say it was a green nipper, as I would for that Headingley pitch against Northamptonshire at the end of the season.
“It was an absolute snake pit of a pitch!
“Seriously though, the context of the game against Derbyshire, and with the way Jon played, it was tougher.
“It was probably a bit more fun on the last day of the season having achieved what we had.”
Picture by YCCC. Gavin Hamilton, Yorkshire’s new general manager of cricket, has high hopes for James Wharton’s future.
There is a lot of excitement around Headingley with regards to Wharton’s potential, as indicated by new general manager of cricket Gavin Hamilton.
As the club released the news of his extended stay at Headingley, former international all-rounder Hamilton said: “He’s as good a talent as I’ve seen, and it’s brilliant to have him. Anthony (McGrath, head coach) has said exactly the same.
“He’s a wonderful talent, and it’s just about nurturing that.
“I think he’s one full year in the first team away from getting much higher honours.”
And Wharton added: “Every young cricketer, or old cricketer, wants to play for England. It’s everybody’s dream.
“But, first and foremost, I’ve only played a few games for Yorkshire. I just want to score hundreds and win games for Yorkshire. These guys are all my best mates. I’ve grown up with them. So these are the people I want to play with and have success with.”
