Talking Cricket: Why are Yorkshire such a success?

As England regained the Ashes last weekend, the factory churning out some of the nation’s top players put one hand on a domestic trophy. But why is Yorkshire such a success?

The retention of the County Championship crown looks almost inevitable with nearly two months of the season remaining as a win against Durham sent Jason Gillespie’s team 38 points clear at the top with a game in hand.

The victory itself was not straightforward - 25 wickets fell in only the first four sessions at Scarborough and it was the hosts that found themselves in the deep trouble in the third innings. The dramatic recovery to a 183-run win - in part led by the runs and wickets of Adil Rashid - dismissed one of their nearest competitors and in doing so sent a clear message that shuddered through the other counties.

Yorkshire’s main strength lies in depth. Five of the six players included in England’s last touring squad at the start of the summer to the West Indies were born within the county with Gary Ballance a recruit from Zimbabwe.

Despite the absentees, in particular the six that were abroad at the start of their County Championship title defence, the Headingley-based county remain undefeated after 11 matches.

Joe Root confirmed he is the cream of the crop with the Sheffield-born right hander rising to the number one Test batsman in the world. It is only slightly more than 10 years ago that Yorkshire were able to make the same boast about another of their own, Michael Vaughan.

Adam Lyth, Ballance and Jonny Bairstow have all more than warranted their chances with England. While judging by Mark Footit’s omission from the squad for the final Test, following the return from injury of Jimmy Anderson, Liam Plunkett would surely have been the man to step in had Mark Wood been unfit for the fourth test.

The next man in line is Rashid and the leg spinning all rounder may well make his Test debut at The Oval in the Ashes finale if those selecting the side see the match as a chance to look to the future.

The conveyor belt doesn’t stop there as Yorkshire’s lofty position in Division One again proves with 22-year-old Alex Lees another contender with the bat and Jack Brooks a seam bowler feared across the country.

It is not only the production line of talent that has seen the White Rose county set the benchmark for the rest, but also the intensity with which they play their cricket. That is also why their players more than any other are banging the England dressing room door down.

It is a vast population that they have to draw upon but the mantra pushed throughout the county is clearly led from the top by their coach Jason Gillespie, who, when appointed following relegation from Division One of the County Championship in 2011, demanded that preparation and discipline were paramount. That undoubtedly remains the case now.

They attack with relentless and fearless aggression fueled by the well-drilled basics of the game instilled by the 40-year-old Gillespie. The former Australian Test quick was himself very close to being appointed England coach earlier this year and many have ventured that his team at full strength would give the resulting Test team more than a run for their money.

So in raising a glass to the defeat of Australia in this summer’s Ashes, English cricket must not forget the efforts of the county setting the standard in the domestic game and creating the foundations upon which an era of dominance on a global level could be built.