Why Yorkshire are set for domestic dominance

We reveal the one simple reason why newly crowned County champions Yorkshire are likely to continue their dominance next season.

Yorkshire retained the County Championship title in impressive style at Lord’s this week, putting them two matches away from becoming cricket’s ‘Invincibles’ and two steps towards a repeat of their 1960s titles hat-trick.

The manner in which they have retained their title this season has been faultless; perceived rivals have been blown away and they are now targeting a record points haul. And with two matches to play, Jason Gillespie’s team has perhaps overcome the last opponents capable of preventing them finishing unbeaten in the Championship this year.

Their title-sealing match served to underline the size of the task facing those hoping to deny them a third consecutive title in 12 months’ time.

Ryan Sidebottom claimed a three-wicket maiden in the opening over of the match at Lord’s, and a little over two hours later their closest rivals Middlesex had been dismissed for 106.

With the hosts unable to claim sufficient bonus points - and Nottinghamshire also failing to score enough against Durham - Yorkshire were crowned champions again.

But while the first five minutes of the four-day game at Lord’s was a season highlight, the moment that broke the back of the campaign came against another title hopeful last month at Scarborough.

With five wickets down in their second innings and the game in the balance at lunch on the second day against Durham, Yorkshire turned the match to win by 183 runs. It was a gutsy and determined performance. And most conceded at that moment the County pennant was to be retained by the champions.

So, is there any hope of closing the gap on the runaway winners?

Although in second spot going into the game, no one was backing Middlesex to win the title this season. Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire failed to mount a challenge and Durham’s fine start was melting away to mid-table mediocrity well before the hiding handed out at Scarborough.

Middlesex only avoided relegation on the final evening of last season so their upturn in fortunes was an achievement in itself this year but they must start to find more runs to enable them to boss games from the start.

The same can be said of both Warwickshire and Durham whose strengths similarly lie in their bowling ranks, while it’s the reverse for Nottinghamshire, who have struggled to find wickets in recent years.

By contrast, Yorkshire have every base covered.

Despite numerous England call ups throughout the season - robbing them of six players for the first two games - they oozed a depth of which their rivals could only dream.

Producing so many quality players is easier for a county the size of Yorkshire and in the short term their rivals need to look to player recruitment to bridge the gap.

Yet even here, Yorkshire are a step or two ahead, with this winter’s marquee signing already secured - Northamptonshire and England all rounder David Willey is heading to Headingley.

But perhaps the main reason Yorkshire are favourites to reclaim the title come next April is the unerring drive and direction built into the county by Gillespie.

The former Australia fast bowler’s team is reminiscent of the all conquering team he was part of for so long.

He has built a well-balanced side of former, current and potential international players, supported by solid pros. Ryan Sidebottom, Liam Plunkett and Tim Bresnan perfectly complement the potential of Jack Brooks with the ball and the consistency of Steve Patterson. Jack Leaning has stepped up this summer with the bat following the call ups for Gary Ballance, Adam Lyth and Jonny Bairstow. And Will Rhodes is another name to keep an eye on.

But it is the philosophy of winning, imparted from Gillespie into his side, that has driven success. Put simply, they go out to attack.

And that is why it will be brave to bet against this team joining the ranks of the greats and going on to replicate the glory days of Close, Boycott, Trueman and Illingworth.