The Yorkshire County Cricket Club will continue its innovative approach to talent identification in 2025 by launching a brand-new Under-23 programme.
Specifically targeted at the recreational game in Yorkshire, the programme will allow the Club to widen its base within the 17-22 age group.
Picture by Ray Spencer. Richmondshire captain Rob Carr lifts the YPL champions trophy at Castleford last month.
Following discussions with Gavin Hamilton, General Manager of Cricket and Yorkshire Men’s Head Coach, Anthony McGrath, the programme will encompass six distinct stages:
Stage One
Yorkshire CCC’s Lead Performance Analyst will create an analysis breakdown for each of the Yorkshire Premier Leagues, including the Yorkshire Women’s Premier League. Outputs from this breakdown will then rank batters and bowlers each week.
Stage Two
Data analysis has been critical in the Club’s recruitment and appraisal process. The second stage will see the Club harness ball by ball data provided by PCS Pro, utilising both traditional metrics, as well as advanced statistics such as boundary percentage and entry points. The Club hope that players will be identified who could fit specific roles within our squads, further enhancing the Club’s use of statistics to make more informed decisions.
Stage Three
A report will then be shared with Gavin Hamilton, Anthony McGrath, Rich Pyrah, Head Coach of Yorkshire Women and James Martin, Head of Yorkshire Performance Pathway.
Stage Four
Following the collation of the report, if a player consistently meets data metrics, a scout will be sent out to view the player in a match situation.
Stage Five
Opportunities will then be afforded for players to play either U18’s/Academy cricket or 2nd XI/Women’s Tier 2 through James Martin or Tom Smith, Yorkshire CCC 2nd XI Coach.
Stage Six
Selected players will then be invited to attend an open day in August to train with the professional squad with the possibility of playing in a representative game as a League XI vs Yorkshire 2nd XI. (TBC)
Gavin Hamilton, General Manager of Cricket at Yorkshire CCC said, “With over 800 recreational clubs across the County, there is undoubtedly a mass of untapped cricket talent out there.
“This new programme will allow us to offer a positive route for players into the professional game at a later age. Hopefully this news will motivate players that little extra throughout the upcoming season. We want to open as many doors as possible and ensure that this programme is part of our pathway system for men and women alike.
“If we have found just one person at the end of this process, it makes it all worthwhile.”
