Ben and Tykes seek redemption on coast
April 21- 24, The Rose Bowl, Southampton, 11:00
BEN Coad has sent shockwaves around the shires with his Specsavers County Championship performances so far, but Yorkshire team-mate Tim Bresnan is not among those surprised by his success.
The 23-year-old seamer has made the most of injuries to blitz his way to three five-wicket hauls in two games so far – despite barely making a Championship appearance before this season.
That included a ten-wicket match tally in last week’s victory over Warwickshire, while also notching 6-37 against today’s opponents Hampshire in the first round of matches.
It’s a chance that only came following injuries to Ryan Sidebottom, Liam Plunkett, David Willey and Jack Brooks, though Bresnan insists it is form he saw coming since the winter months in the build-up to the season.
“He’s taken his opportunity superbly and it’s going to be a real selection headache when the other guys come back,” said Bresnan of Coad, who this week signed a one-year contract extension to stay at Headingley through to December 2018.
“He’s go on to be one of our goto seamers almost out of nowhere, and if he can keep producing those results then he’s made himself undroppable, whoever comes back into the side.
“He’s worked on his skills. Andrew Gale and Richard Pyrah came in and said what they wanted people to work on, and he’s gone away and worked on that, so fair play to him.
“He was easily the best bowler in pre-season and he’s got a lot of confidence, hopefully he can take that forward into the match against Hampshire.”
Despite Coad’s influence, Yorkshire’s applecart was upset by the south coast outfit on the opening weekend, with a credible draw against champions Middlesex helping Hampshire follow that up in style.
That’s eased them to second in the Championship table – a far cry from the relegation fears many held prior to the season’s start.
However, hopes this week have been dealt a blow with Rilee Rossouw’s injury, batting through
the pain of a chipped bone in his left index finger to make 99 last time out.
Tom Alsop replaces him, while the bowlers will have their work cut out as Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow come in for the 2014 and 2015 county champions.
“We’ll know more after Rilee has had some x-rays. He batted through a lot of pain on Sunday, it was a marvellous effort. He’s a strong character,” said Giles White, director of cricket.
“Our first three games are as hard as any we’ll play all season. Yorkshire will have a different side to the one we beat, but we’re in a good place as well.”
Hants could also welcome back Reece Topley, more than a year since he last bowled in anger – way back in the World t20 in spring 2016.
Mason Crane is also in the squad as he bids for his first County Championship appearance of the season.