Words from Ollie Robinson
It’s nice to win at home against Derbyshire, obviously we’ve won our first one and we were close in the next two so to get over the line today was nice.
I played nicely, it was tricky to start with the mystery spin and Samit (Patel). You don’t really face three overs of spin up top, once the pace came on I was playing quite nice. I was playing some reverse sweeps and working the field. Colin (Ackermann) was great to bat with as well.
I think Derbyshire went to the slower ball pretty quickly, I don’t think they tested the wicket with the new ball. I just think we were bowling on top of the stumps until they hit you off it and then we went to variations.
It’s a pretty tricky schedule, we’ve had it pretty plain sailing so far. It’s good to have games coming thick and fast though because if you lose you can bounce back the next day and if you win you can build momentum.
Squad v Yorkshire (15 June)
Colin Ackermann, Kasey Aldridge, Graham Clark, Bas de Leede, Zak Foulkes, Alex Lees*, Jimmy Neesham, Callum Parkinson, Matthew Potts, Ben Raine, Will Rhodes, Ollie Robinson+, Nathan Sowter
Opposition Corner
Captain: Dawid Malan
Overseas players: Will O’Rourke (New Zealand, first eight group games with possible extension), Will Sutherland (Australia, all group stage)
Finals Day appearances: Three (2012, 2016, 2022)
Titles: None
2024 finish: Seventh place in the North Group
2024 leading runscorer: Dawid Malan (420)
2024 leading wicket taker: Jordan Thompson (20)
Key winter moves: While Yorkshire have recruited two exciting overseas signings in all-rounder Will Sutherland and x-factor New Zealand fast bowler Will O’Rourke, the biggest moves have come in the leadership department. Club legend Anthony McGrath returned as coach to replace Ottis Gibson, while the responsibility of replacing Shan Masood as captain was handed to Jonny Bairstow in red-ball cricket and Dawid Malan in the Blast.
The big question: Can Yorkshire finally break their duck in T20 cricket? The White Rose, no longer the Vikings in this format, are one of only four counties never to have won the Blast, alongside Derbyshire, Durham and Glamorgan. With the quality of players they’ve had at their disposal down the years, that they are part of that statistic is a significant surprise.
Wildcard watch: James Wharton. More recognised as a top-order batter, but he has the power to bat a bit further down as well and could, for example, finish an innings. He scored a brilliant 111 not out in a 2023 home win over Worcestershire. Yorkshire’s management rate the 24-year-old incredibly highly, and believe he is not miles away from England honours.
Final thought: Yorkshire’s squad looks very well balanced. Power and poise with the bat, depth in the all-rounder options, quality spin and significant pace with the ball. The prolonged availability of Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan will be vital, while it’s a big campaign for the continued progression of England fringe leg-spinner Jafer Chohan. Fit again seam-bowling all-rounder Matt Milnes (back stress fractures) will be like a new signing. To be successful, Yorkshire must gain the consistency their early-season Championship cricket has lacked.
Match Centre
The Club’s match centre will be in operation for the fixture with live scorecards, statistics & video highlights as they happen. You can watch the game live via Durham’s match centre and Yorkshire YouTube channel. Durham Cricket will have full coverage on social media, with a full match report at the close.