YORKSHIRE PACE - THE NEXT GENERATION


BIG SHOES TO FILL

By Ben Wood
January 16 2007

Over the years Yorkshire has produced many legendary quick bowlers - Emmett, Bowes, Trueman, Appleyard, Gough & Hoggard to name but a few. Yet in recent years we have seen many of our quick bowlers - Kirby, Sidebottom, Silverwood and Gough leave Yorkshire to find pastures new.

Although, in Kruis, Gillespie, Bresnan & Hoggard, we have four talented fast bowlers, our bowling attack looks weak. With Hoggard away on Test duty, Gillespie a shadow of his former self and Kruis heading over the hill, who will step up to fill the void? Last year we unearthed 5 young pacemen all looking to secure their place in the next Yorkshire pace generation.

Steve Patterson is a tall (6'4") quick bowler who made his debut in the tour match against Bangladesh in 2005. The 23-year-old has been a Second XI regular since 2003 and received his 2nd XI cap last year. A useful lower order batsman, he is said to be a younger version of Andrew Caddick. In his 6 championship matches he has taken only 2 wickets while conceding 256 runs.

Ajmal Shazad made his yorkshire debut in 2004, becoming the first british-born Asian to play for Yorkshire. However, he has not made much progress since then, featuring in only 1 championship match last year, in which he failed to take a wicket. He has featured in several one day matches, and the 21-year-old has so far taken 5 wickets at 27.2, showing he has the ability to play at that level at least. His performances in the youth teams & Bradford league give us hope however, where he has taken a vast quantity of wickets & scored many runs. The most experienced of the young bowlers, it is thought he is the favourite to gain a place in the first XI.

Nick Thornicroft was originally thought to be the man to partner Tim Bresnan in opening Yorkshire's future bowling attack. A spell on loan at Essex (the first player to use such a move) allowed him to play in 7 county championship matches, taking 11 wickets at an average of just under 50. The youngest every Roses player, at the age of 17, he has also taken 16 one day wickets at an average of 35. It is hoped that he, as his friend Bresnan has, can come good on the promise he has shown.

James Lee made his yorkshire debut against Hampshire last year at the age of just 17. Although he failed to take a wicket, his bowling showed plenty of skill & promise, while he shone with the bat, scoring 21* at number 11.

Chris Gilbert has yet to make a county championship appearance for Yorkshire, but shone during the 2006 Twenty20 cup, while scoring runs at around 21. He has also taken 6 one-day wickets at 27, proving that he has the talent to perform for his county. He is also a hockey international, having represented england at under 18's level. A supposed falling out with coach David Byas led the 23-year-old being excluded from the County Championship and one day sides, however, it is likely he will get his chance under the new regime.

So there we have it. The future is not as dull on the pace front as it was a few years ago. I am hopeful that Gilbert & Shazad will both find places in the team this year. Here's to the future of yorkshire pacemen!

What do you think to Ben's assessment of the young Yorkshire pace-men? Have your say in the message board below...

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