Yorkshire welcome Derbyshire to Headingley this week, and find their visitors on the same number of points following their three matches, Yorkshire having drawn two and lost one and Derbyshire having drawn all three of their matches, although in one not a ball was bowled. Both will be looking to change that fact this week, although the weather may conspire against them.
Yorkshire who were quite rightly pre season favourites for not just promotion, but the Division Two title will be disappointed to have not yet registered a victory, even with all the rain disruptions. Derbyshire, who despite many people’s feelings will also have fancied their chances, if not for the title, for promotion, will also be disappointed to be sitting winless, although at least they can claim to be undefeated unlike their white rose counterparts.
If you are able to attend, then the array of talent on show will make the entry fee well worth it. Joe Root, Harry Brook, Shan Masood, Adam Lyth, Mickey Edwards, Blair Tickner, Wayne Madsen and Pat Brown are just the internationals who could be on show. Throw in the other high quality county players and the cricket should be of the highest quality. Whether this quality can bring about a result and help either side to their first victory of the season, remains to be seen.
Key Players
Yorkshire
When you have a batting line up which includes Root, Brook and Masood, it is easy to overlook the other members. However when you look beyond those names there is another who is arguably more important and that is Adam Lyth. He opens the innings and sets the tone; he is established and experienced and gives the innings purpose and direction. He has scored 237 runs so far this season at an average of just over 47 and if he can continue this form then Yorkshire’s chances of success increase no end.
Derbyshire
For as long as most Derbyshire supporters can remember, they have struggled to take the twenty wickets required to claim victory. However in Blair Tickner they have a genuine wicket taking threat and someone who along with the battery of other seamers, can propel them towards twenty wickets with his pace and movement. He has taken four wickets so far and will be hoping to add even more with the historically seamer friendly pitches produced aty Headingley.
Team News
Yorkshire will again have their England contingent, bar the IPL playing Jonny Bairstow, so Root and Brook will be available to bolster their impressive squad. Expect a similar squad to be named as for their previous games with no further injuries reported. They will be lacking cover at wicketkeeper with Harry Duke having signed for Essex this week, so Jonny Tattersall will have to take extra special care of his fingers.
Yorkshire squad: (tbc)
Derbyshire have named a 12 man squad which includes Zak Chappell, who missed the previous match with a slight groin niggle. Sam Conners is out with the same problem while new overseas signing Daryn Dupavillon, is due to be available against Sussex next week.
Derbyshire squad: David Lloyd (c), Harry Came, Luis Reece, Aneurin Donald, Blair Tickner, Alex Thomson, Jack Morley, Brooke Guest (wk), Zak Chappell, Pat Brown, Anuj Dal, Wayne Madsen
Weather and Conditions
Rain, rain go away! The forecast, as it seems it has been for every match this season, points towards disruption and lost time throughout the match due to precipitation, which increases the chance of a draw. In the previous match at Headingley this season just 16 wickets fell across four rain interrupted days and if the pitch is similar then expect the same this match.
Date: 26th – 29th April 2024
Time: 11.00 am
Ground: Headingley Stadium, Leeds.
