As Yorkshire prepares for the 2025 season, there’s no doubt that expectations are high, and head coach Anthony McGrath isn’t shying away from the challenge.
Despite their recent return to the top flight, McGrath believes that a club with Yorkshire’s history and stature should always be aiming for the County Championship title.
McGrath’s Bold Outlook
McGrath, who has a strong track record with Essex, is determined that Yorkshire should not be content with simply surviving in Division One.
“A club like this can’t be in transition, ever,” he says.
“The players want to compete at the top.”
Having previously been part of the team that saw Essex win a major double in 2019, McGrath is no stranger to success following promotion.
He insists that with a squad like Yorkshire’s, combined with a couple of strong overseas players, they should be challenging for both Championship and Twenty20 titles.
The coach is clear: this isn’t just a motivational line.
He genuinely believes Yorkshire can and should be competing for honors every year.
He points to other clubs that manage consistent success, even without Test status, and thinks Yorkshire should be at the forefront of that list.
Building on Momentum
Entering the 2025 season with solid momentum, Yorkshire’s recent form has been impressive.
The club finished the 2024 Division Two season with five straight victories, narrowly beating Middlesex to secure second place behind Sussex.
Although it’s been a decade since Yorkshire last claimed the Championship title, McGrath is setting higher standards.
For him, the title drought isn’t a disaster, but an opportunity to raise the bar.
McGrath highlights the young players in the squad as one of the team’s greatest strengths. He’s excited about the core group of emerging talent who have already gained invaluable experience, both positive and negative.
“They’ve been put into the team very early, probably a couple of them before they were ready, but that’s really held them in good stead,” McGrath says.
With this young group growing in confidence, he’s hopeful that they’ll rise to the challenges of Division One.
Exciting Young Talent and England Availability
Among the promising young talents are James Wharton, who impressed with 833 runs at a Bazball strike rate of 68.89 in 2024, and 22-year-old Fin Bean, who has shown consistency in his two full Championship seasons.
George Hill, another exciting young player, has averaged 33 with the bat and 26 with the ball in first-class cricket.
With age on their side, McGrath is optimistic that these players will only improve with time, while England players will also add star power when available.
Notably, Joe Root will be part of the squad leading up to the Test series against Zimbabwe and India.
Although Harry Brook is unlikely to feature in county cricket this year, the return of Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan will be crucial.
McGrath is particularly excited about Bairstow’s return, saying, “When he’s free, Jonny will play, as he showed last year.
All the England guys love playing for Yorkshire.”
Dawid Malan’s Return
Malan, who has not played four-day cricket since signing a one-year ECB contract in 2023-24, will also rejoin the team.
His experience and versatility add depth to the Yorkshire batting lineup.
McGrath is thrilled to have Malan back, acknowledging that while he’s aware of the physical challenges that come with age, his experience will be invaluable to the squad.
“He’s a class player, so why wouldn’t you try to get him in the team when he’s available?” says McGrath.
Recruitment Challenges
Yorkshire is also on the hunt for two overseas seamers to bolster their bowling attack and keep pace with Surrey, who are aiming for a historic fourth consecutive County Championship title.
While the club missed out on New Zealand’s Matt Henry, who opted to return to Somerset, they have their sights set on several others, including Will O’Rourke from New Zealand and Scott Boland from Australia.
With a few challenges in securing these signings, McGrath remains focused on strengthening the squad for the season ahead.
He’s keenly aware of the importance of bowlers, particularly in Division One, as Yorkshire looks to make a statement this year.
As the season draws nearer, McGrath’s vision for Yorkshire is clear: a club with a rich history and a strong squad, ready to challenge for the top titles once again.
With exciting young talent, experienced internationals, and an ambitious coach, 2025 could be a year to remember for Yorkshire.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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